Month: March 2025

For Such A Time as This

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

Finding Your Purpose (YouVersion Daily Refresh)

The story of Esther is a powerful testimony within the Scriptures. It tells about Esther who risked her life in order to save the people of God from danger. Esther faced the decision between what was easy and what was difficult, and she chose the more difficult way because it was the right thing to do.

Esther 4:14 points out that Esther’s purpose in life was tied to this very moment. She was crafted and shaped by God in order to fulfill His purposes in her generation. She was placed in this unique situation by God.

While most of us might not be servants in the house of a king or queen, we all have difficult decisions to make in life. Every day we are faced with situations that have easy answers, and some that are difficult.

The story of Esther teaches us that God has gifted each of us for a specific purpose. Even though the journey isn’t always easy, God promises to be with us as we follow the path He’s called us to.

Additionally, Esther did not accomplish her purpose alone. She had the support of her community fasting and praying for her. Similarly, we cannot make it through life alone. We need the support of our community praying for us. And they need us in their lives as well.

Take some time today to think about your own story. How is it similar to Esther’s? Consider the unique purpose that God has created you for. Pray to Him for strength to make the right decision in life, and to persevere in following where He leads.

My Thoughts

God has been speaking to me a lot lately through His Word about His purpose for me and whether I am fulfilling it or not. I sincerely want to follow the path God has laid out for me, but I am very aware that sometimes I have strayed and not done as the Holy Spirit was directing me. I am trying to get better, but I am not there yet.

The book of Esther is a story of courage, but as has been pointed out to me in every devotional and in my own reading, the Jewish people at that time were far from God. The times were dangerous and they were facing extinction. Yet there is no prayer in the book, no mention of God’s name. Esther does ask the community to fast, but that seems to be out of desperation, and I hope, her faith, but that is not mentioned.

I need the courage of Esther when I venture into the sinful world today. Seemingly innocent things like a new Snow White movie are actually sin in disguise, roping in innocent children to believe in a society that is not part of God’s plan. I haven’t really been going into the world a lot lately since I have been really ill for a couple of weeks now. I did go to my specialist yesterday, and the receptionist got a little snippy with me. You know the type…just put on a mask since you’re coughing and answer my questions even though you cannot breathe well. I said a silent prayer for strength and did the best I could. I am thankful that I did not reply with snark, my usual response especially when I am not feeling well. But the Spirit checked me and I tried to be kind and polite in spite of her somewhat unreasonable and curt demands. Where do doctor’s offices find these people who don’t really like sick people anyway? The result of my visit was six new prescriptions for a lingering infection and a visit next week to start injections of a biologic that is supposed to help me fight infections before they get such a firm grasp.

Back to Esther. Esther depended on her community to support her. We each need to have a community of supporters. I have a small group from church that contacts me when I am sick, checks on me and my husband and generally helps when we need it. I have a friend in my online Bible study. We meet online, but we have met in person as well. She contacted me yesterday because she said I had been on her mind and she felt she needed to check on me. I updated her on my health issues and we both felt better for being a part of each other’s lives. My “go-to” person when I need prayer is our daughter in Pennsylvania. She drops whatever she is doing and prays and will even drive the nine hours to get to us if she knows we need her. So, who is your community of believers that you can call on in all circumstances, those with whom you can be brutally honest about how you feel and what you are going through? I encourage you to find someone and form a mutually beneficial friendship with each other and with God. Just as Heather knew without my contacting her that I needed prayer, your relationship with another Bible-believing Christian opens the door for the Holy Spirit to keep those lines of communication open.

Whatever time we are born into is the time God meant for us to be present. He put me here in the 1950’s until now for a reason. Every day, my prayer is that in some way I can represent Him well. Times are sinful, non-believers are angry. But that has not changed since the time of Esther or the time of Jesus. Be present. Be mindful of each day that God gives you to carry out His purpose. That is how you will one day hear, “Well done!”

Appointed by God

On By vickleaIn Admonition, ScriptureLeave a comment

I hope that you all know the story of Jonah. God told him to go and preach to Nineveh, but Jonah had his own ideas and ran away from God. As a result, there was a big storm at sea, the boat he was on was about to wreck and Jonah knew that he was the reason. So, he told the sailors to throw him overboard (since he was the one who was disobeying God) and they would be fine. The sailors did, and God sent a big fish to swallow Jonah. He stayed there for three days and nights. Hmm. It would be interesting to know what he was doing during that time, but I would guess some heavy thinking and repenting since once the fish spit him out, he went where God had told him to go in the first place.

God has appointed things for each of us to do and He gets our attention in ways that only the Creator can. He has a plan and He will work His plan, with or without our cooperation. It is a much better idea to go along with God’s plan to begin with than to come up with our own “better idea.” There is no better plan than God’s and no way that we can circumvent His plan. Jonah found that out the hard way. Perhaps we would prefer to spend more time with God, find out what He wants us to do and then follow through. After all, God can get our attention and get us back on track, but He would probably prefer if we would not get off track to begin with.

The Light of the World

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture, YouVersion App4 Comments

So this is the week where we lost an hour of sleep and somehow have a longer day. I am not sure how all of that works, but one thing I do know. Jesus is and always will be the light of the world, no matter what time zone we are in.

Jesus gives His light equally to everyone. It is not His will that some should remain in darkness. That’s why He calls us to be lights to a dark world.

Knowing that Jesus is always there, shining brightly in and through us should give us the courage to tell others about His great salvation.

Think about this quotation. You don’t give to get, but receiving is a byproduct of giving. God started the whole process of light when He said, “Let there be light.” Think of all of the life forces that depend on light. God knew exactly what He was doing, and we need to be intentional about shining.

Prayer about Being a Light to Others (YouVersion Prayer)

Jesus, thank You for being the light of the world, and for giving us hope for an eternal relationship and life with You. Thank You for allowing me to represent You on earth, and for giving me the Holy Spirit to help me live a life that honors You. Each day, help me be a light in the darkness and draw others closer to You. Amen.

The Light of the World-Lauren Daigle

God’s Rescue Mission

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

The Lamb of God (You Version, Daily Refresh)

Have you ever waited a really long time for something important? Maybe you spent weeks waiting to see an old friend, for news about a medical diagnosis, or for someone to respond to a message you sent them.

In the first century, the people of God had waited hundreds and hundreds of years for the coming of a Savior. John the Baptist was sent to be the forerunner of that coming Savior. God planned for John to prepare the people for Jesus’ arrival, and call them back to repentance.

John waited his whole life for Jesus. He spent his days in eager anticipation of the coming of a Savior who would save his people. And on that day when Jesus did arrive, John the Baptist cried out in excitement.

John calls Jesus the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. In the old covenant, lambs were sacrificed on behalf of the sins of the people. Their sacrifices were a temporary means to restore a person’s relationship with God.

But Jesus’ coming heralds a new covenant between God and His people.

Jesus’ death is a sacrifice on our behalf, but one that is permanent and complete. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection pave a path for us to enjoy a restored relationship with God, and to live in freedom from sin. This is the new covenant that John the Baptist is describing—Jesus takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Take a moment this morning to thank God for the amazing gift that Jesus gives to each and every one of us. Because of Jesus’ faithfulness, we can walk in new life and enjoy a restored relationship with God. 

Think of one small step you can take to share this good news with someone who doesn’t know Jesus. This free gift is great news for every single person, and we are given the privilege of sharing it with everyone.

My Thoughts

One thing the speaker said this morning in the Daily Refresh really stuck with me. Man sinned and God launched a rescue mission. Instantly, a vision of “Mission Impossible” with all of the dating feats accomplished by the actors popped into my mind. God’s rescue is so much better because His plan is a perfect one. There is no Plan B because Plan A is all that is needed. Jesus came. He lived a perfect, sinless life and gave us a way to the Father. God Himself planned a rescue mission from the very beginning of time. That gives me chills and makes me so grateful for a God who loves so completely. In this season leading up to Easter, I hope you will all think about God’s rescue mission for you. What has He rescued you from? Maybe you thought your life was pretty good, but without God in it, there is no real life. He rescued me from eternity without Him. Let’s share His truth so that others can be ready to be rescued!

Ready to Fight

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture3 Comments

At any given moment, we may be expected to defend our faith to others. I have generally found that when someone is asking me a question about my faith, it is not usually because of their genuine curiosity, but rather in order to mock or deride my beliefs. Nevertheless, God wants us prepared because we never know whose heart and lives may be touched by our answer.

One thing that keeps returning to my mind as I go out into the world each day (and I consider the whole world a battleground these days) is that the victory is God’s, not mine. I am a tool in His hands, not the only tool He uses and probably not the best one, but a tool, if I am only willing.

When Joshua was getting ready to go into Jericho and defeat it for the Lord, He met up with a spiritual being.

The commander of the army of the Lord is right there with Joshua. He would not have noticed him if he had not looked up. He didn’t immediately recognize him as friend or foe, but once the man identified himself, Joshua bowed in reverence and asked for the message that God had for him. How often have we faced insurmountable odds or people who present themselves as enemies and we forget to look up and recognize that the commander of God’s army is right beside us? We never go into battle alone!

God is the One who fights for us and He is the One who brings victory. We are expected to show up for battle, ready, with the sword of His spirit as our stalwart weapon. But we can know in advance that God goes with us, before us, beside us and behind us. He fights the battle as we, in obedience, go into a world that is increasingly anti-Christian. We don’t need to fear what the enemy can do to us; rather, we need to be praying for the souls of those we encounter because God will not always be mocked before He takes final action against them.

Our “horses” are ready when we have prayed, hidden God’s Word in our hearts and received the command from our Commander-in-Chief to “go.” His Word goes with us, His victory is assured. After all, the Lord’s army surrounds us, if we will only open our eyes to see.

Keep Practicing

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture, testimony, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

Daily Refresh, YouVersion Bible App, 3-07-25

When someone is training for a job—any job—they must eventually make the shift from studying to practicing.

The apostle Paul knew how important such a transition was, which is why—even while confined to a Roman prison—he recorded the following words for the believers in Philippi, Greece:

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬

Paul had taught them. Paul had trained them. Paul had loved them. And that’s why, from the isolation of a jail cell, Paul empowered them to live out what they’d learned.

Jesus, too, was passionate about His followers not just trying to look good or to sound good, but to do good—with a heart that genuinely wanted to glorify God. James, the half brother of Jesus, also wrote about not just listening to the Word, but doing what it says.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 
James 1:22-24 ESV

It’s one thing to know about something, but it’s an entirely different thing to put that knowledge into practice. 

The peace of God is a gift that He gives us. It’s something we experience as we draw near to Him by living in a way that honors Him. If we know His will but don’t do anything about it—that shows that we don’t really want to honor God. But if we do His will, then our actions illustrate that our identity is rooted in Christ. And our closeness to Christ allows us to experience His peace. 

Doing the will of God—not just learning about the will of God—unleashes the peace of God. 

So today, study what Paul taught and modeled (which is ultimately what Jesus taught and modeled). And then, ask yourself: “What is God teaching me about Himself, myself, and other people? How can I apply His teachings to my life?”

My Thoughts

I was never one to practice sports since I have had asthma my entire life. So, I didn’t practice any kind of ball or cycling or anything in order to perfect it. However, I did practice teaching for over thirty years. I still say I was practicing at my profession because I kept learning new ways to reach students. I saw through the years that not two students were exactly the same and all of them had unique strengths that I had to discover and help them to use wisely.

When I started my teaching career, there was a part of it called “practice teaching” or “student teaching.” In this part of my college program, I was supposed to be under the mentorship of an experienced teacher who would show me through her skills and techniques how to be a good, effective teacher. I had finished all of my coursework early and was eager to start my new career, so I signed up to do my student teaching during summer school in northern Virginia. The only problem with that scenario is that instead of having a mentor, the school system put me by myself into the classroom, no guidance, no hand-holding, none of what was supposed to be happening. My “mentor” was teaching French down the hall and I was alone teaching Spanish to first year students who had failed the class during the regular school year but were somehow supposed to learn enough to pass a year’s worth of work in a few months. I learned by doing, that’s for sure! My college professor/supervisor came to speak with me regularly. He was normally supposed to come every few weeks but he was arriving several times a week, knowing that I was on my own and might be having some problems. I don’t recall having a lot of difficulty, just a lot of questions that by the time we sat down to talk about what was going on, I was too overwhelmed to ask anything. I got stellar reviews and a great grade on my student teaching performance and the school system got a free summer school teacher. This is not what practice teaching is supposed to be like, and I don’t recommend it, but I did survive it.

Having said all that, I want to make sure you understand that you can learn by jumping headlong into things without practicing with someone wiser and more knowledgeable, but I don’t suggest it. There were a lot of gaps I found missing as I got into the profession itself, gaps that should have been covered when I was practicing. God doesn’t want us to have gaps in our walk with Jesus. He wants us to know exactly the road He wants us on and how to travel it, by reading His Word and following His example. Watch, listen and learn. Then do…that is what practice is. And when you get really good at it, you can then teach others what you have learned by being a good Christian example for them to follow.

Review: WELCOME TO THE HONEY B & B by Melody Carlson

On By vickleaIn Book Review3 Comments

About the Book

Product Details

ISBN-13:9780800746025 Publisher:Baker Publishing Group Publication date:03/04/2025 Pages:304

When life feels like it’s closing in around you, sometimes the solution is to open the doors wide and invite others in . . . 

Jewel McKerry is on the brink of unraveling as she heads home to Oregon to help care for her father who has early-onset dementia. Her thirteen-year-old daughter is upset about the move. Her beekeeper dad is a humorous handful. Her mom is overworked and overwhelmed. Finances are stretched tight. And, according to her father, the neighbors are nothing but trouble.

Despite all of these challenges, Jewel takes on one more when she convinces her parents to turn their decrepit farmhouse into a B&B in order to make some needed money. Her old high school flame turned contractor steps in to help, but Jewel isn’t sure she can really trust him. And those “troublesome” neighbors? The handsome widower and his teenage daughter just might be the key to making all this work.

My Thoughts

This is a somewhat humorous and totally empathetic look at a family dealing with the dad having dementia and all of the problems that result from his illness. Jewell returns home to help out her mom with her dad and decides that changes have to be made and quickly in order to keep him safer. The two-story house that her parents have lived in for years will not work any longer for a man who continues to stumble and fall, so she resolves to turn the old house into a B & B and install her parents on a new manufactured home on the property nearby. The determination of Jewel to help her parents is heartwarming, even if she does seem to move faster than they can keep up with. I really enjoyed the multi-layered plot, with a teen daughter not wanting to move and having to establish new friendships, a mom with her own health problems, a neighbor who is helpful and kind but whom her dad does not like and a former classmate who is trying to strike up a new romance. Jewell manages to keep her eyes on her goal, get the help she needs and awakens to new insight into the lives of her parents and some self-discovery truths, too. I liked the dynamics between the realistic characters and the way they each had their own individual strengths that made the well-paced story work so well. I liked Jewell’s ability to think outside of the box and to be willing to make sacrifices for herself and Cooper in order to help out her parents. This is a wonderful story, with a hint of romance and a lot of love for family on every well-written page.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own honest ones.

Rated G, Christian Fiction

About the Author

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including Romantic Time’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog.

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Baker Publishing Group

Bookshop

Target

Christian Book

Audible

Watch Your Back Blog Tour from Just Read Publicity Tours

On By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Promo, Book Review, JustRead Publicity Tour11 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Watch Your Back by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Watch Your Back
Series: Crossroads Suspense #3
Author: Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: March 5, 2025
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

You can’t watch your own back.

Private Investigator Avery Reynolds leads the charge to expose Tampa’s supposedly “extinct” mob. The crime boss responsible for her foster brother’s death is within her grasp—until she hits a wall in the form of Ethan Bridger, a Coast Guard veteran who unknowingly derails her sting operation. When the elusive “Big Eddie” comes out of hiding, he targets their mutual friends about to tie the knot.

Avery sets aside her angst toward Ethan to focus on ending the crime boss’s reign of terror. But working together exposes her trust issues and his PTSD stemming from a comrade’s tragedy. When Avery goes solo into a prisoner exchange operation, she discovers her vulnerability too late—and must lean on Ethan and the God she thought had abandoned her. But will that help reach her in time?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More In This Series

My Thoughts

This faith-filled and compellingly suspense-filled novel had me on the edge of my seat and kept me totally engrossed in the story. The basic plot had lots of elements that made it entertaining and realistic, including a kidnapped child, a powerful crime boss, and a team of private investigators who are doggedly determined to carry out their responsibilities. Avery Reynolds is on the trail of “Big Eddie” but cannot quite catch him when he turns the tables on her by kidnapping her godchild. All bets are off when Ethan Bridger, a security specialist, finds out what is happening and makes it his personal mission to keep Avery safe and to help her capture the crime king. The characters were perfectly portrayed, especially Avery and her reluctance to accept the Lord as her Savior. Ethan and Avery are both on the same road, seeking salvation, kind of, but mostly just wanting to live their lives without interference. The action is non-stop with a quick pace and an amazing attention to details in the main plot as well as the sub-plots. I enjoyed the wedding scenes at the beginning that introduced the characters and allowed me to get to know them again. So, even if I had not read the previous books in the series, this one could have been enjoyed as a standalone. I like the way faith is included in the book and all of the loose ends are tied up, including bringing refugees from Cuba. There were a lot of twists and some really surprising developments as the story progressed. This is Christian romantic suspense at its best.
Disclaimer
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Christian Fiction with intense suspense

About the Author

Kristen Hogrefe Parnell writes suspenseful fiction from a faith perspective for women and young adults. A former English teacher, she now designs curriculum for a Christian academy and spends most of her time at her favorite assignment to date: being a mom to her toddler. Her books have won the Selah Award and the Grace Award, among others. She lives in the Tampa, Florida area with her husband and son.

Connect with Kristen by visiting kristenhogrefeparnell.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Watch Your Back & a $25 Amazon e-gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 5, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 12, 2025. Winners 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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