Month: December 2025

Decide to Be Humble and Gracious

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

Learning to Live Humbly

Have you ever met an angry Christian?

You may have come across Christians who love to grumble, complain, or even speak harshly about other people. Maybe you’ve even been that person at times in your own life.

If we’re not careful, we can easily become self-righteous within Christianity. After all, we know the truth and others may not. You might see how tempting it can be to look down upon other people, demean them, or consider them as worse off than ourselves.

But this misses the point of the gospel of Jesus.

The gospel tells us that all of us begin at the same starting point. And it’s only through grace that we come to salvation and learn the truth about God’s love for us.

That doesn’t make us any better than other Christians! In fact, as Paul says in Ephesians 4:2, we should actually be humble and gentle with others, rather than harsh and critical. He says we are to be patient with one another, helping one another in every way that we can—so that we all grow together.

These ideas aren’t original to Paul. They actually came from how Jesus lived his life. As followers of Jesus, we too should strive to be gentle, humble, and patient with everyone in our life. Regardless of whether they look or think a different way, every person deserves dignity, patience, and love.

Take some time today to think of a few ways that you can grow in patience, humility, and love with others. It could be slowing down long enough for people to know you care, saying something encouraging to someone, or admitting to someone that you’ve made a mistake.

Make the decision today to live in humility and grace with others.

My Thoughts

I really need to work on myself in being humble and extending grace. I have a tendency to speak first and then repeat and apologize later. It would be a lot better if I would extend grace to all, knowing we are all headed to eternity and that I want to take as many people with me as I can.

Belonging To God

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

My True Identity (Daily Refresh, 12-16-25)

John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

Many of us define ourselves by what we do. You might be a teacher, or a firefighter, or an accountant—“that’s who I am.” But God’s plans often lead us outside of the very things we believe define us.

Our ultimate defining identities are not in what we do, but in who we are: children of God. It sounds simple, but it’s a deeply profound truth.

Receiving Jesus and identifying as a child of God isn’t passive. It’s not just slapping on a name tag and continuing life as usual. Taking on that identity is a daily, active decision. It means fully accepting Jesus’ love, authority, and call on our lives.

He gives us the freedom to live beyond labels, past wounds, and even seemingly good things that can hold us physically or emotionally captive. He breaks the chains of people living in poverty, addiction, or grief.

You are no longer a child of brokenness. You are a child of God. You are imbued with the dignity and worth of your Creator. That new identity is like a superhero origin story: it changes everything!

When you receive Jesus, this is your story. You are God’s child. You belong. You are loved. You are free.

When was the last time you stopped to reflect on the fact that you are a beloved child of God? Take a moment today to thank Him for welcoming you into His family!

My Thoughts

When I am feeling discouraged and like I am not enough no matter how hard I try, God’s Spirit always reminds me that I am His child and He loves me with an unconditional love. That makes me free to be who I am. I said for years that I am a wife, mother, teacher and friend. Now, I know that the foremost thing I am is a “child of God” and that identification makes all the difference.

Patience Bears Fruit

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

The Sweetness of Patience (Daily Refresh, 12-14-25)

Have you ever plucked fruit prematurely?

Perhaps you were allured by its vibrant color and sweet scent moving through the air. But when you took the first bite, you realized it lacked the ripeness you anticipated. Everything seemed right at first glance, but there was one missing ingredient…

Time.

Even the simple act of picking fruit can teach us about time and patience:

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You, too, be patient and stand firm because the Lord’s coming is near.”
James 5:7-8

The author, James, penned these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to a community of new Jewish converts to Christianity, dispersed throughout various regions. These early Christians faced many trials, including persecution and opposition, because of their newfound faith. James’ call to wait patiently and endure was more than mere words on a page; they were a lifeline of hope and encouragement in the midst of adversity.

And just as those early believers confronted trials, we, too, will encounter challenges and suffering in our Christian journey. And, just like those early believers, you can choose patience—allowing the fruit of the Spirit to ripen within you, no matter the season of life. And when you do, your character will mature, your faith will deepen, and your relationship with God will become sweeter than you could imagine. Patience always bears the fruit of perseverance and strength, even today and even for you!

My Thoughts

I wish that I could say that I am a patient waiter, but I am not. I have a clock ticking in my brain that is always telling me to get things done on some kind of invisible timetable that demands that I keep moving and doing. I think my actions often keep me from meditating, pondering and just being still to see what God wants me to do and what fruit He is growing in me. I want to have ripe fruit so that others will see and want what I have. That takes patience and God is working on that in me. I am not a fast-food junkie who wants what I want when I want it, but somehow I want God to move more quickly to change me into someone better, more like Him in an instant. It doesn’t happen that way, and in my fifty plus years of experience with God, it never has. And yet for some reason, I expect change to be instant because the slow change is painful. But I have learned and I am learning that it is in the pain that I grow. Instantaneous change will never produce good fruit in me, if it produces any fruit at all. God, who knows me best and loves me best, knows that, too, so He patiently cares for me, waiting for me to turn to Him for the needed change so that the fruit will blossom and become all He means for it to be. I am thankful that God continues to be patient with me so that I can learn every day to lean into Him.

Review and Interview: Launch That Book by Tammy Karasek

On By vickleaIn Author Q and A, Book Promo, Book Review, Scripture4 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-13:9798993446813

Publisher:Tammy Karasek, LLC

Publication date:12/09/2025

Edition description:2nd ed.

Pages:164

Launch that Book will take you from stress to success in getting your book into the hands of those who need it. Tammy Karasek walks authors through a pragmatic management approach as she educates, equips, and encourages in getting the most mileage out of the book launch process.

Learn step-by-step

∙ how to gather a team

∙ exactly what to do with your team

∙ when and how to say farewell

Plus, so much more. (From Amazon)

My Thoughts

This book gives new meaning to the phrase “step by step guide” since the author does a thorough and tremendous job of including all of the steps any author will need to successfully launch a book. With details that are relayed in bullet points and examples, the book is an excellent resource for authors who want to form a launch team, manage that launch team and make inroads into the marketing world by following the author’s expert and sage advice. The tips are practical, tested and proven to work so that any author, debut or published for years, can follow the advice, launch a book and not be stressed about all of the minutiae of doing so since it is all laid out so clearly here. Every author needs a copy of this book and every friend of an author should make sure that they have a copy of this invaluable resource.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author


Tammy uses humor and wit to bring joy and hope to every aspect in life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, is the driving force of her passion to always encourage and inspire others and give them The Reasonto smile. She’s gone from down and defeated to living a Tickled Pink life as she believes there is always a giggle wanting to come out! And desires that for others as well. For more information about Tammy, visit her website: https://tammykarasek.com/about-tammy/

Questions and Answers with Tammy

  1. Where did you get the idea to write a book about launching books? This is an easy question – I can’t be everywhere to teach authors and I can’t do everyone’s launch management for them. But I so want to teach authors how they can rid themselves of the stress of what to do with some tried and proven results of having a good book launch.
  1. What is the number one takeaway that you want authors to know after reading your book?

  YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

  1. Of all of the advice and practical tips you give in your book, which one is the absolute best one, in your opinion?

Hmmm, one? ALL! HaHa! I went with a “one word answer!” But if I had to select only one tip, I think it would have to be to have the courage to do a  launch team. With having Launch that Book on your reference shelf, you have the template of how to do your first launch team. As you write the next  book, you’ll use it again, but tweak it for your liking, but you’ll have the steps of when and why to get you started.

  1. If you could tell a debut author one thing about launching a book, what would you advise them and why?

Don’t assume your publisher is going to help you with a launch or your marketing. This will be on you whether you traditionally publish or  self-publish. So don’t ignore the opportunity to have a team help you spread the word of your book’s release.

  1. What is the most difficult part about launching a book? How does your book make that process less burdensome?

When and where to start. I give you a timeline breakdown of what to do, when to do and how to do all the things!

  1. Why do you think that authors need a launch team? 

As an author, we can only tell so many people within our circle. But when we recruit a team to spread the news, we now reach into circles we  would never have been able to reach. 

  1. How many books have you helped to successfully launch as the “launch geek”? Since 2012, I have participated in over 400 launch teams. As The Launch Team Geek, I have helped or managed over 50.
  1. Is your book best suited for only new authors?  No. It is written for any author wanting to have a launch team for the release of their book. 
  2. Is there anything else you want your readers to know about your book or your experience with launching books?  From the years of experience I’ve had on teams or managing teams, the more you educate your launch team members as to why you are doing certain tasks (like reviews), teach them how to do those tasks, and encourage them by letting them know you are seeing their actions, the better your launch will run. My book was written from my heart to help any author overcome the stress and fear of doing a launch team. My goal was to educate, equip and encourage the author on how to manage a launch team so they can turn around and educate, equip and encourage their team to help them have a successful launch of their book. And the next, and next, and next!!

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

With much appreciation to Tammy Karasek and with a big recommendation to get this book if you are even considering writing and publishing one yourself!

God Wants Us To Find Him

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/63688/day/5

This devotional is so meaningful to me because I have many family members who have not found the light.They aren’t even looking for it because they are content with the darkness all around them. In fact, many ar part of that darkness. So, this Christmas season, as God’s gift to the world is once more revealed with the bright lights of the season, I am praying for my family who lives in darkness to find the light. After all, God is not hiding. He wants to be found.

Remembering, Never Forgetting

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

Remember What God Has Done (Daily Refresh, 12-11-25)

Remembering what God has done is an important part of Jewish worship…

After God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He instructed the people to remember His words. He told them to diligently teach His commands, and to talk about them in their houses, when they walked, when they were lying down, and when they got up in the morning (Deuteronomy 6:7). 

The Israelites were told to constantly remember what God had done, who God was, and what He had said. 

And so, in Psalm 85:2, the Psalmist engages in an act of remembrance by reflecting on God’s forgiveness: 

“You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin.” (ESV)
 
The Israelites had sinned against God many times, and many times over God forgave them. The author of Psalm 85 didn’t want Israel to forget God’s great kindness, so he crafted a Psalm that would remind anyone who repeated it of God’s mercy, forgiveness, power, and love. 

The Psalmist appeared to know that purposefully remembering what God has done is a powerful practice—a powerful practice that we should take part in. 

– Remembrance helps us think about the grace and love of God. 
– Remembrance provides reassurance that we are right with God through Jesus. 
– Remembrance fills us with hope that God will be faithful to do what He’s promised. 
– Remembrance strengthens our faith in God and His Word. 
– Remembrance helps us worship God for what He has done and all that He will do.

Developing a practice of remembrance will keep our minds fixed on God, and keep our hearts connected to His grace.

So what are some of the things you can purposefully reflect on and thank God for? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

– Remember He sent His one and only son to die for the sins of the world. 
– Remember He created the world, and praise Him for it. 
– Remember He has filled you with His Holy Spirit to remind you of His words and transform you into the likeness of Jesus. 
– Remember the grace and love He has for you.

My Thoughts

This merry holiday season is a time of remembrance for most of us. We remember past Christmas times when loved ones who are no longer with us were there, enjoying time with us and other family members. We remember special gifts we have given and received. We remember the good times, reflect on the bad times and press forward to create new memories.

We can never forget what God had already done for us, even as we come into His presence and make our petitions to Him. He has already sent His Son to die for us and provided eternal life. In remembering the sacrifice He made during this season of great joy, it isn’t just the baby in the manger that draws my attention. It is the cross and the light and the angels singing and the sky getting dark. All are for remembering. I remember where I came from, knowing that I haven’t arrived at the place God wants me to be, but I am not where I was over fifty years ago. Remembering is a way to honor God, but it is also a way to keep us humble as we ponder all that God has done for us and are thankful for His presence in our lives and the presents He gives us daily of His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love.

I love Christmas, but my favorite holiday will always be Easter since that is Resurrection Day. That is the day that reminds me that I, too, will one day be resurrected into new life, a life that I cannot imagine but I know that God will provide it for me because He promised it. Remembering God’s promises helps me to keep moving forward even in the hard times. Holding on to the reminders of His faithfulness is the best way that I can think of to not lose sight of the goal of eternity with Him, regardless of what life throws at us. Remembering helps us but it also helps the doubters around us, as we share our testimony of all that God has already done for us.

I had an online friend today do a LOL symbol when I said that I was trusting God not to have surgery on my rotator cuff. She said she has never seen anyone get better with that problem without having surgery. My reply was that God is a big God who has never failed me. If He decides that it is best for me to have surgery, then He will be with me through all of the procedure and rehab. If not, then He will heal and restore me because He is, after all, the Great Physician. I believe because I remember.

Look What the Lord Has Done-The Gaithers

We Can’t Hide from God

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

Do you think that you have a secret place in your heart that you can keep hidden from God? Do you sometimes try to sneak away and do something that you know the Father would not approve of and assume He is so busy with the world’s problems that He won’t notice little you? Wrong on both counts! God always sees, is always watching you, listening for your voice. He loves each of us so much that, just like Adam and Eve, we cannot hide. When life gets tough, we may want to hide away from God, thinking He must have forgotten us or just given up on us. He never does and he never will. He set the standard in the Garden of Eden right after Adam and Eve sinned and hid. It was God who called, “Where are you?” Are you hearing that question today? You may as well answer because God is relentless in His quest to meet you right where you are.

Immanuel-God With Us

On By vickleaIn prayer, Scripture2 Comments

This prayer is part of my devotional today and I really needed it to remind me of God’s constant presence. Life keeps throwing darts at me and so far, I have been able to dodge them, but honestly, I am weary.

Yesterday, I had to return to Ortho Virginia because of a shoulder problem that has been building for the last month. It has gotten so painful that I cannot extend my right arm, either forward or up without excruciating pain. When the doctor checked me yesterday and had me do all kinds of movement that hurt as well as pressing in places that almost caused me to defend myself, he concluded that I have a problem with my rotator cuff. He cannot say definitely that there is a tear because I have not had an MRI yet, but he did say the symptoms point to that as the issue. I received a steroid injection and a referral for physical therapy for the next six weeks.

While I was doing my deep breathing to get through the injection into the bone of my shoulder, I was thinking to myself, “Seriously, God. I have only been out of the boot for a fractured foot for less than a month and now my shoulder is giving me problems. I mean, really. Couldn’t we face this particular battle another time?” God didn’t speak audibly, but He continues to speak to my heart that He is walking this valley with me. He hasn’t gone anywhere, but He has stepped closer to me, to comfort me during the diagnosis, the injection and the feeling of absolute despondency.

God has never walked away from me, as He so lovingly reminded me yesterday and again this morning in this prayer. And since He doesn’t play favorites, He hasn’t walked away from you, either. He is right there, waiting to answer your prayers and to be by your side until whatever the battle that is taking place in your life is over. There will always be a battle to fight, but the good news is, there is always God there to protect you, heal you, comfort you and reassure you of His presence.

God, The Promise Keeper

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

God Keeps His Promises (Daily Refresh, 12-09)

“’The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.” 
Jeremiah 33:14 NIV

A lot of people would have laughed at Jeremiah when he said these words. Why? Because it seemed like God had abandoned both Israel and Judah. 

At this point in the story of the Bible, Israel is gone—wiped out by an invading army. Now Judah is alone, and another massive army is at their gates to destroy them too. The situation couldn’t have been more hopeless. 

Have you ever experienced a moment like that? Maybe it was a life-changing loss, or impossibly difficult news. In those painful moments, it can feel impossible to trust God’s promises. The people listening to Jeremiah probably felt the same way. But it wasn’t the end of their story because circumstances can’t ruin God’s promises. 

Yes, the enemy broke in and took God’s people into captivity for decades. But God didn’t abandon His people or give up on His promises. Over time, He rescued His people from captivity and brought them back home. 

God hasn’t abandoned you in your pain either. You might feel like there’s no way out of your situation, or that your choices disqualify you from God’s love. But God keeps His promises. 

For generations after returning from captivity, God’s people struggled. They continued to face heartbreak, setbacks, invasions, and captivity. But when they least expected it, God fulfilled His promise. He sent His son, Jesus, to lead everyone, including the people of Israel and Judah, into a new and better future. 

God’s promise of a better future applies to you, too. When we pursue God with our whole lives, we find peace, strength, and contentment. And we live with confidence knowing that one day, we’ll get to spend eternity with Jesus. We have new life believing that God has fulfilled His promise.

My Thoughts

One of my memory verses for this year has been Numbers 23:19, which says that “God is not a man that He should lie, nor the son of man that He should repent. Has He not said and will He not make it good? Has He spoken and will he not do it?” I have pondered and pondered that verse and I always conclude that I cannot find a single circumstance in the Bible or in my life in which God did not keep His promises. When God says He will punish, He does. When He says He will reward, He does. When things look the bleakest, God is still there, carrying out His plan and His promises because He is a Promise Keeper.

Christmas is the season for joy, hope, and giving. God gave and we accept. We like the lights, the decorations, the gifts coming in the mail or under the tree. But pause and think about what it cost our Heavenly Father to keep His promise of redemption. He sent his ONLY Son, the One who had been with Him from creation, to us as a babe born into lowly circumstances and sent to minister to a doubting and needy world. God keeps His promises, always. If God says it, you can count on it happening. Probably not when you think it will come. After all, there was four hundred years of silence from the prophets before Jesus was born. Probably not how you think it will come. The people to whom Jesus came expected a warrior to free them from Rome. What they got was a Savior to free them from sin and offer them the gift of eternal life. God’s promises are fulfilled in a way that is better than we expected and more than we hoped for. He is a Promise Keeper who shows us the way to Him. Waiting for a promise is hard, but if it is coming from God, the wait will be worth it!