Month: November 2025

What Do You Have to Give?

On By vickleaIn encouragement, God’s blessings, Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

How to Live Generously

What’s your most prized possession? It might be the most valuable thing you own, like the house you’ve worked your whole life to afford. But it could also be a photo from a special time you spent with someone you loved. Or it could be a meaningful gift from a friend.

The value we assign to our “things” is tangled up with our emotions. How we choose to use the things we cherish most reveals our true priorities. 

Jesus’ death on the cross is one of the greatest examples of God’s generosity. Despite knowing we could never repay Him, God didn’t hesitate to give up his greatest treasure—His only Son—for us. And through that sacrificial act, He demonstrated what generosity looks like: willingly offering up what we have so that someone else can thrive, even if it causes us pain in the process.

You don’t have to just give financially to practice generosity. Living generously simply acknowledges that God is able to do anything He wants through the gifts He has given you. When you let God give through you, and you honor Him with your giving, it draws you closer to Him. Generosity flows out of a thankful and trusting heart, and when you trust God with what you have, He starts to entrust you with more. 

Practicing this habit will remind you that you are not in control, but you know the One who is in control—and He can provide for all your needs. 

So what do you have to give? Try finding a place where you can invest what you have in some way. Start small, or go big. Just start.

My Thoughts

Instead of “Just Start” I would end this devotional with “Just Give.” Just give something from your heart, something that will help someone else in their quest to trust God. It may be a gallon of milk, a turkey with all of the trimmings, or even a very small thing like a dollar bill with a scripture clipped to it. This is the season of giving, and we can start it out by being thankful for all that we have, taking stock of what we haven’t used in a while and find a new home for those things. What may seem trash to us may be the treasure someone else has been praying for. So, pray, look around and just give. And if the recipient doesn’t seem grateful, remember that you are not giving for gratitude. Rather, you are giving to follow the Father’s example. There are a lot of people in the world who have never yet said “thank you” to God for the gift of His Son, yet He continues to love and show mercy.

Review of TRAIL OF MOUNTAIN SECRETS by Darlene L. Tuner

On By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review1 Comment

About the Book

ISBN-13:9781335957429

Publisher:Harlequin

Publication date:11/25/2025

Series:National Park Protectors , #2

Pages:208

Park archaeologist Violet Hoyt’s wilderness search for a missing family’s remains takes a deadly turn when a gunman mistakes her for someone else. The discovery of a grave of skulls reopens a cold case, and someone is determined to keep the truth hidden. With the help of K—9 handler Maverick Shaw and his human—remains—detector dog, Wolf, Violet must find the final family member—and evade the masked man who has targeted her. Soon Violet learns a shocking secret: She has a presumed dead twin sister who may still be alive, and now they’re both in danger. Can Violet and Maverick expose a conspiracy before this Christmas becomes their last? (From Barnes and Noble)

My Thoughts

An archeologist, the discovery of skulls, a K-9 human remains detector and a man determined to protect all make this book unputdownable. Violet Hoyt is intelligent and intuitive and when she is on a job, like the one to find the remains of the murdered Hancock family, she is intrepid and sometimes foolhardy. Wolf, the dog who intervenes and tries his best to keep her safe is a character like none other. He is highly trained to detect remains but he also seems to be able to sniff out danger before it gets too close. And his owner Maverick is as determined to keep Violet safe as she seems to be determined to pursue danger. All of these elements made this fast-paced book a riveting and unforgettable story of courage and an indomitable spirt. There are family secrets uncovered as well as a villain who is unbelievably evil and dogged about the goal of keeping Violet and Maverick from discovering the truth. This is a book with memorable characters and a well-crafted and absorbing plot that is not to be missed by fans of compelling fiction.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Love Inspired Suspense, Rated PG

About the Author

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Target

Christian Book

Audiobooks

Indigo

Amazon.ca

Books-a-Million

Kobo

Google Play

Harlequin

Quotes and Notes

On By vickleaIn Quotation and Citations1 Comment

Unless you follow me on Facebook, you don’t see the scriptures or the quotations that I post there. I try to post things that are encouraging or humorous. Here is a sampling of what I have posted recently.

I love this quotation from C.S. Lewis, one of my favorite men to quote since he was definitely wise and worth listening to. I was feeling my age this morning, so when this quotation was in my daily devotional from Nicky Gumbel on the YouVersion, I created this graphic on Canva to illustrate it.

This is a scripture quotation that I found online. I need to add this one to my memory verses because it seems that I am always in a waiting room. But I have hope there. I am pleased to say that I was discharged from the orthopedist yesterday. He told me that 18-20 year-olds do not heal as well as I am healing. So, I repeated to him that the Great Physician was working on me, and the doctor told me he believes for sure that He did this healing because it is miraculous given my bone condition and other health problems. So, while I wait, God is already answering. It just takes me a while to figure it out.

Some of my favorite quotations are from Corrie ten Boom. She is a giant among faith-filled women in my book and she is one of the saints that I look forward to seeing in heaven.

I hope that you enjoyed today’s quotes and notes. Do you have a favorite quotation to share, one that has spoken to your heart and reverberated in your spirit? Please take a moment and share with me. Thank you and have a blessed day and a better week than you can imagine!

Names

On By vickleaIn God’s blessings, promises, Scripture2 Comments

What name did your parents give you when you were born? Me? I am Vivian Lea Watts (nee Wilson). I was named for my mom, Vivian Eleanor. But I have never been called Vivian except for those who don’t know me well, like telemarketers. My nickname and name were both chosen by my father and I am called “Vickie.” I often get asked how Vickie relates to Vivian. Answer: It doesn’t but it made it so that there were not two Vivians in our house.

When we were younger, I would dare to say that we had a lot of nicknames. Mine were things like “slow poke” and “wheezy” or “sneezy”. Because of my allergies and asthma, I couldn’t run and wheezing and sneezing were part of my everyday life.

I am very thankful that I will not have to introduce myself to God. In fact, He already knows me and will give me a new name, one uniquely mine. I don’t understand it, the whole white stone thing and the new name, but if God says it, somehow it will come to pass.

But I already have new names to add to my nickname. Here are a few that I treasure in my heart and that lift me up when I am feeling unworthy.

I am a child of God and so are you. Jesus made it possible for us to be adopted into the family of God so that we belong to Him and with Him.

We are God’s workmanship and just look around you! God does not make junk! Notice that God planned and prepared for us to do good works, using the talents that He gave us.

I am forgiven and if Christ lives in you because He is your Lord and Savior, so are you. Forgiven and redeemed, forever bound to the Savior who gave me new life.

Here is that name to which I previously referred. I am redeemed from my sins and from the “hand of the enemy” in order to say so. The hand of the enemy could be temptation and sin, but the greatest enemy is death. Death was defeated on the cross, so I am also alive forevermore. (🎶)

And ultimately, I am a brand new creation. People may refer to my past and sins I have committed, but in the eyes of God, I am totally new, with a clean slate and a white robe. The blood of Jesus paid a heavy price so that I could have this name.

Devoting Yourself

On By vickleaIn Admonition, God’s blessings, prayer, Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

What does the word “devote” mean? According to the American Heritage Dictionary, devote is defined as “To give or apply (one’s time, attention, or self, for example) entirely to a particular activity, pursuit, cause, or person.” Now, read that again slowly and think as you read to what or whom you are devoted.

I am devoted to God, my marriage and my family. How do I know? Because I pursue them daily, making them priorities. I get up early each morning and start my day spending time with God in His Word, praying and asking for insight into what I should share on my blog and into what I need to do to follow Him more closely. You know that the Bible says that where your treasure is, that’s where your heart is. What you devote your time to says a lot about your priorities, doesn’t it?

Today’s scripture verse in the Daily Refresh on the YouVersion App says this:

So, we know that this means to apply your attention and time entirely to prayer. What does that look like? I think it means to focus on praying. What are you watching for? I am watching for God to move in my life as I listen for Him to speak to me. And I am always thankful for a new day that starts with prayer.

Prayer doesn’t have to be a long speech to God about all that He has done and all that you want Him to still do. My prayers are actually very simple. I start by naming a character trait of God that I am particularly thankful for that morning. Then, I confess my sins and ask for forgiveness. Then third part of my prayer is to again thank God for something special that He has done for me. And the next part of my prayer is to ask God for mercy and grace for various family members who have needs. I end my prayer with thanksgiving and praise. I know it sounds complicated, but it really only takes less than ten to fifteen minutes. I don’t look at the time, but I know it isn’t too long. But it is a vital part of my day, to just focus on the Lord and have a conversation with Him. It’s a “good morning” greeting to my Maker. Then, I pray to Him throughout the day as any need or thought that I need His guidance comes up. And I always end my day with prayer, too. The time I spend with God in prayer is all His time, no interruptions or conversations. The phone is on silent and away from me. The books I need to read for that day can wait. The chores can wait. That time is God’s and I try very hard not to be distracted or hurry through my time with Him.

God is always there, waiting for us to notice and to spend time with Him. How important would you feel in someone’s life if they never spent time talking to you and then listening to what you had to say? After a while, that kind of relationship would break down. We need to nourish and cherish our relationship with God as it is the foundation for all of our other relationships to which we are devoted. So, devote yourself to prayer? That is a definite “yes” and a resounding praise for time to spend with the Creator of the Universe who always has time for us.

Discipline

On By vickleaIn Characteristics of God, Scripture1 Comment

Raise your hand if you enjoy discipline. What? No hands! I used to be punished severely for things like getting a B or not doing what my mom said to do immediately. By severely, I mean large sticks and what mama called a “switchin’.” I bore marks on my legs and back for days because when I say severe, I mean, she took out her anger on me. That, however, is not an example of discipline, just in case you were wondering.

The American Heritage Dictionary online says that discipline is “Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.” Notice that discipline is training, not physical abuse. Consequences may be necessary, but the consequences fit the misbehavior, not always the same thing administered the same way.

God disciplines us because we are His children and I am thankful for His discipline. His correction often turns me around from the wrong way and heads me back in the wrong direction. I never feel scolded wrongfully after discipline from God. I always know I needed it, and I also know that He wouldn’t discipline me if He didn’t truly love me.

As our children grew up, we didn’t want them to think that “anything goes” as the current society tends to teach. We wanted them to know that there are family norms, societal norms and Biblical expectations. They knew that stepping into the road without looking both ways could end in great bodily harm, and we backed that rule up with physical consequences. But if they “forgot” to clean their room, then their punishment was no extracurricular activities until it was done. I must say, without desiring to sound as though I am bragging, that all three of our children are contributing members of society and turned out pretty well. (With the disclaimer that somehow two of them married liberals and are therefore leaning left.)

That being said, remember that God disciplines us for our good. He doesn’t want us getting hurt (like running into traffic) or to be disrepectful (like not following rules). He also wants to have a close relationship with us and that comes when He disciplines and we accept that discipline and make the necessary change to be more like Him. We want to always be more godlike and less like our human, sinful self. God forgives over and over and He has great patience with us, disciplining us sometimes over and over for the same infraction. He wants us to grow, not stay as we are in a stagnant pond. It’s all about being willing to partake of the living water instead of insisting on our own potion that we think we bring happiness..

So, discipline from God? Yes, please. (Although this may not be my attitude at the time). Discipline from other Christians who have our best interest at heart? That is a “yes” also. If you still have children at home or are helping to raise other children, remember it’s all about training, not forcing your will on them. Be a Godlike person who disciplines in love, for love and with the result of training for growth.

Believing Doesn’t Equal Understanding

On By vickleaIn Book Review, Characteristics of God, God’s blessings, Scripture1 Comment

I am someone who wants to see proof before I believe things or trust someone. Show me what you are saying is true and then I will believe you is like a mantra for me. Or at least it was until I became a Christian. Now, my whole life is wrapped up in believing without seeing everything. I can see some things, but not all. On the other hand, I believe everything God says because He is God and doesn’t lie. (Numbers 23:19)

Let’s take a walk down a path of believing vs. understanding. I am sure you are all familiar with the story of Jairus coming to Jesus because his young daughter was dying.

Jesus had a large crowd following Him, a Jairus, a synagogue leader, must have already believed in Jesus and His power because he sought out Jesus and asked Him to come and heal his daughter. That is certainly a demonstration of believing, also called faith.

Jesus’s trip to Jairus’s house was interrupted by a woman who touched Him and received healing from a blood issue that had been going on for years. Jesus was speaking about this event when people arrived from Jairus’s house and told Jairus not to bother Jesus anymore because his daughter had died. What a bummer, right? Jairus traveled to get Jesus’s help, found Jesus and Jesus was on the way when his daughter died.

Jesus overheard the news that they brought to Jairus and instead of saying, “Oh, that’s too bad. I’m so sorry that I’m too late,” Jesus told Jairus to just believe. He didn’t ask him to understand why this happened or how Jesus could change things. He said to just believe and not be afraid.

When unexpected things happen in our lives, we need to remember this scripture and hold on to it. We may never understand why bad things happen or what the end result might be, but we can hold on the promise that Jesus can make a difference and believe. Jairus believed and Jesus raised his daughter from the dead.

Can any of us understand how that happened? Of course, we cannot because our finite minds cannot comprehend miracles that occur in the presence of the Lord. We don’t have to understand for it to take place. Jesus didn’t say, “Understand.” He said to just believe. I think sometimes our quest for knowledge and understanding gets in the way of our faith, our belief in a God who can do anything because He is God.

Our belief in the God of all mankind and we cannot explain an infinite and omniscient and omnipresent God with our finite knowledge. We can, however, believe. Just believe. The understanding may or may not come later, but our belief doesn’t depend on our understanding. Our belief is based on who God is, not what we think about Him.

If we take things like our daily challenges at face value, many of us would just throw up our hands and quit before we even start our day. But because we believe, we dedicate the day to the Lord and ask Him to fulfill His plan in it and through us. I don’t understand why there is so much pain and suffering in the world, like the genocide of Christians. in Nigeria. But I do trust God and believe that He is still active and working even when I don’t understand.

How about you? Are you trying to get your understanding to line up with your faith? Faith comes first. Understanding may never come.

Daily

On By vickleaIn Admonition, encouragement, God’s blessings, promises, Scripture1 Comment

The Cambridge Dictionary says “daily” means “happening on or related to every day.” Of course, you already knew that! And I am sure that you can think of more than a few things that you do daily. For me, what comes to mind immediately is brushing my teeth, taking my meds and checking my blood pressure. But did you know that the Bible talks about doing things “daily” also?

One of the first scriptures I learned about and took to heart was the one in Matthew where Jesus says to give Him your burdens because what He gives in return is easier to bear. In the Old Testament, Psalm 68 encourages us to praise God for daily bearing our burdens. Well, guess what? The Lord cannot bear for us what we are holding onto and refuse to let go of. So, we have to daily lay down our burdens, whatever is worrying us, and trust that God is taking care of it. It’s a habit that I plan to work on because I am not there yet.

I am almost certain that this scripture verse is familiar to all of the Christians here in the blogosphere. Deny, take up your cross and follow…did you see that very important word daily? This is not a once-and-done action. Daily, we deny ourselves. Daily we take up our cross, the life that God has gifted us with along with the purpose that we are fulfilling in Him. And we follow Jesus, daily. We cannot say that, “Well, back in 1973, I became a Christian, so that is all done and I’m on the right road to heaven.” Again, this is a daily commitment to the Lord, not a “I did it, I got the tee shirt and now I am securely on my way to heaven.” Maybe. The assurance comes because we daily re-commit our lives, our everything, to Him. Sometimes, it’s easy to walk backwards and get tangled up in the world’s standards and attractions. That’s why it’s important to daily commit ourselves to our life with God, in God and through God. He is the one who sustains our lives, in every way, including physically, emotionally and most importantly, spiritually. We cannot stay alive spiritually without daily spiritual food. I didn’t eat a meal back in 1973 and tell myself that was all the food I needed for the rest of my life. I need to daily soak in His truth from His Word and allow the Holy Spirit to nourish my soul so that bearing my cross is not a burden but an honor because I am carrying out God’s plan for my life, daily.

We walk by the Spirit daily, with God’s Word hidden in our hearts and with a day that starts right with time with Him. I would no more think of running out the door without brushing my nasty overnight teeth than I would go out without getting dressed first. We cannot even consider being ready to walk by the Spirit daily without preparing ourselves by immersing ourselves in His Word. You may have five minutes, ten minutes, an hour or more to spend in His Word. I don’t think God is as concerned about how much time you give Him as how much quality time you spend daily with Him, getting to know Him better through His Word and devoting time to talking to Him in prayer.

Apollos is named in the scriptures several times by Paul who knew him personally. This verse says he was a “learned man.” Some could say of me that I am “learned.” After all, I have a degree in Spanish and history and a graduate degree in educational administration. But what I consider when I desire to be “learned” is to be versed in the scriptures, in the things that really matter in life, This verse doesn’t leave us to guess what Apollos was learned in because it explains that he had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. That comes, I think, by daily spending time in His Word. In a world full of Katy Perrys and Taylor Swifts, I would rather be like Apollos. Thus, I need to give my time daily to what will benefit my most, to God’s Word, soaking it in and letting it bathe me in truth and light.

So, back to my first question? What do you do daily to spend time with your first priority, which should always be God? Think about it. Schedules may need to be adjusted and time managed differently in order to daily devote yourself to time with the Lord, but I consider it a habit well worth cultivating. Don’t you?