I am a Christian, a retired teacher, a mother and a grandmother. I love to read and I love the Lord Jesus Christ! Unless otherwise specified ,all visual illustrations are from the YOU VERSION APP of the Bible.
In giving thanks, we are thanking God for what He has done, is doing and will do in our lives.
In worshipping God, we are acknowledging who He is and why He deserves all the praise and glory.
This Sunday, let’s agree that we need to participate in both.
If our Heavenly Father never does another thing for us, just remember He has already done more than enough.
ISBN-139780825452635
Publisher:Kregel Publications
Publication Date: 09/15/2026
Pages: 304
The riveting start to an adventure-driven romantic suspense series from a debut author
Determined travel blogger Julia Stevens is on her final assignment in snowy Silverberg, Colorado. She’s running from her past-and God-but the charm of small-town life brings little comfort when she’s face-to-face with the winter sport that killed her sister: skiing. Upon her arrival in town, she discovers a dead body and is compelled to research the situation, give justice to the man’s story, and kick off her new career in journalism.
Cade Haskins is back home after a failed mission and his subsequent retirement from the DEA. His father’s declining health has pushed Cade to prioritize family, and he helps at the historic Silverberg Hotel on his dad’s behalf. When Julia shows up at the hotel, Cade becomes her local contact. He quickly realizes she has a knack for sniffing around where she shouldn’t, and he attaches himself to her side.
With the local death connected to a meth ring, Julia’s investigation has unknowingly put a target on her back. As the danger increases and she begins to learn more about Cade and his family, she finds herself trusting the God she was running from. And Cade? He doesn’t want to get dragged back into DEA work, but it seems like he may not have a choice if he wants to protect Julia . . . and his growing attraction to her.
The intense suspense in this debut novel had me captivated from the beginning. Julia’s story of running from her grief is relatable and relevant and was heart-wrenchingly realistic. In the small town of Silverburg, Colorado, Julia Stevens plans to conquer her fears, face her past and move on with life. What she did not count on was finding a dead body and encountering non-stop threats and danger as a result. Julia attracts the attention of former DEA Agent Cade Haskins who is running the local hotel and also tasks himself with keeping her safe. The plot is a fast-paced race to the bottom of a black diamond ski slope as the two protagonists try to find the source of the threats while also safeguarding their own secrets from the past. The romance is a slow burn and predictable, but such a satisfying and swoonworthy part of the story. The characters were realistic and my favorite was the spunky and fearless Julia who faced fear even when it was foolhardy and perilous for her. the ending was a slam dunk and I really enjoyed the intro to the next book in the series. I will definitely look for Ami’s story as I enjoyed Julia and Cade’s story so much. This book was hard to put down and thought-provoking as Julia and Cade both dealt with feeling responsible for things in their past that they could not change. The genre is Christian romantic suspense and this book hit all the targets for the genre as it enticed me to read with the suspense, entertained me with the romance and filled my need for a book with a faith foundation as the characters struggled with their faith but knew intrinsically that God was in control. I would give more than five stars if I could because this book is a must read for fans of Lynette Eason, Elizabeth Goddard and Nancy Mehl.
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.
Kelly grew up in Southwest Colorado, exploring the outdoors as well as her hometown library. She transplanted to Southern California to attend Biola University, where she earned a degree in communication studies. While working in sales, she met her husband and earned a Master’s in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Azusa Pacific University. In her spare time, she and her husband enjoy boating, camping, and cheering for their kids in their various activities. By day, she’s the queen of her own castle with three active boys. By night (or very early morning), she writes happily ever after stories filled with romance and suspense from the Central Coast of California. Website for more information: https://kellyborjas.com/
I have learned since I had my stroke that I really like silence more than noisy environments. The cacophony of chaotic noise, whether it is a crowd of people, loud music or a loud television or radio, tend to annoy me. It hurts my brain and causes me to withdraw and look for a quiet place. I think that we all need to learn to enjoy silence. We fill our days with noise. Some of us wake up in the morning and immediately turn on the television or pick up our phones and watch a video. We go out to work in traffic, with honking horns all around us and music or a talk show blaring on the radio. If we are still working, we spend our days with people demanding our attention, some of them all at one time. There is no lack of noise all around us. Thus, I think that enjoying the silence is a good thing, so I practice it when I am doing my devotional and when I am reading. I used to read with the TV on, dividing my attention between the two. Now I can only focus if I read a book and that is all that I am doing at that time. It’s important to focus on God when you are spending time with Him, too.
We can better enjoy God’s presence in our lives if we are quiet before Him and wait for Him to speak to our hearts. He won’t talk over top of all of the distractions around us, or at least He doesn’t in my experience. I have to be quiet to hear Him.
One of the best ways for me to appreciate God is to look around me at the beauty of the creation He gave us to enjoy. And the best part of it is that He didn’t have to make everything so pleasing to our eyes, ears, nose and mouth. It was His love for us that had Him gift us with such delights. So, take a walk alone, look around you and listen for God’s voice talk to you. He created what you see just for you to enjoy. Enjoy the silence!
If you have ever been around a toddler just learning to walk, you know that they don’t generally take the next step until they scope out the territory and see what they can grasp quickly if they need help to keep from falling. First, they hold tables or couches or chairs. Then, even when they get bold and let go to venture into the middle of the room, they are looking at the adult who holds out their hands or the piece of furniture that they just left behind. Jesus wants us to take the next step with complete faith that He will be there to meet us and catch us if we need it.
I read a devotional today from Jesus.net that I hope you will take the time to read and let it reach deeply into your mind and soul so that you can take the adventure with Jesus of taking the next step. I will admit that I am still fearful but I am choosing faith over fear and hope you will join me. Just click on the link above and read what Deborah has to say. Then take the time to ponder it and apply it to your life.
Jesus said, “Come.” With those words, He gives you all of the encouragement you want or need to step out of your comfort zone, let go of the furniture and move towards the task He wants you to do. I hope this is a good and profitable word for you today. It certainly was for me!
ISBN-139781966463627
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Publication Date: 09/15/2026
Series:Jonathon Island Season 2
Pages: 268
Charlotte Sullivan has a PhD, a career she loves, and a heart full of cracks she’s learned to hide. She’s the sister who always shows up—and never gets noticed. When her family needs someone to save the annual harvest festival, guess who they call? Two weeks. That’s all she promised. Two weeks of hayrides, pumpkin patches, and pretending she doesn’t mind being invisible. Then she’s gone.
Callan Carver is just passing through. The firefighter hasn’t called anywhere home since his mother died. Staying means caring. Caring means losing. And he’s lost enough. But something about Charlotte makes him want to stop running.
She’s brilliant. She’s beautiful. And she has no idea. As they work side by side bringing the festival to life, Callan starts seeing a future he never let himself imagine. Charlotte starts believing she might be worth fighting for. Then tragedy hits…and suddenly they’ll both have to discover what it really means to stay.
Charlotte Sullivan feels as though she is totally unimportant, an afterthought that is usually forgotten. Firefighter Callen Carver is struggling for find the dream that will fulfill him. The two of them meet on Jonathon Island when Charlotte is tasked by her brother to plan the Harvest Festival and Callen is assigned to work with her by the fire chief. With no idea how to plan the festival, the two of them make lists, brainstorm and get to know the townspeople and each other better. Charlotte is a scientist who studies soil, so planning a festival is out of her comfort zone. Callen is more comfortable teaching recruits at the firehouse than planning a festival. Together, the two of them manage to get the townspeople invested in the celebration and to participate in the fun activities that they are planning for it. This is an entertaining and engaging romance with a strangers to friends to more trope and a small town that makes everyone feel welcome. The plot is moderately paced and perfect for the blooming romance. The characters are relatable and lovable and flawed in a perfectly imperfect way. The climax was surprising and emotional because I wasn’t prepared for all of that drama, but it was so good and lent itself to a compelling conclusion to the story. This is a perfect book to read anytime you want to read a feel-good and uplifting story that has a heartfelt message of hope and dependence on God.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Growing up in a writer’s household, Sarah May Warrenalways knew she was doomed to catch the writing bug—and she did, right around the time she met and fell in love with her now husband, Neil. She finally started writing her first full length novel while pregnant with their first child, and she hasn’t stopped since. When she’s not writing a story, or adding another book to her endless TBR, Sarah can be found volunteering with her Church’s worship team, coordinating weddings, or cuddling up for movie night with her two amazing daughters—oh yeah, and that scruffy hubby of hers.
Visit her as SEWarrenFiction.com.
He Will Lead the Way (Daily Refresh, 9-14-26)
Moses led the people of Israel for forty years. He led them out of slavery in Egypt, through the Red Sea, delivered the Ten Commandments from his time with God on Mount Sinai, and walked with them through the wilderness until they reached the edge of Canaan.
But as he neared the end of his life, God showed Moses that it was time to hand off leadership to another. In a final address to the people of Israel, he shares these final words with his successor, Joshua:
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIVThis is the last record we have of Moses talking to Joshua. Notice he didn’t say, “Good luck, these people are exhausting,” or, “Here’s a situation going on, I would handle it this way.” Moses wasn’t telling Joshua about how to do something, but instead, how to see everything.
Moses drew Joshua’s attention to the most important part of the story: God. Moses had been a crucial leader, but it was only because of God that Israel could move forward. It was only because of God that they made it this far. And because God is the author of the story, His provision would continue after Moses is gone.
Because God was with Israel, Joshua didn’t need to fear anything. And when God is with you, there is nothing to fear. He will lead the way.
My Thoughts
I think the most important legacy that Moses left for Joshua was the promise that God would be with him. That is also the most important advice we can leave behind for our children and grandchildren, for all of our friends and family really. As I have faced one health battle after another, the reality of my humanity and the inevitability of dying has become more real to me. I don’t mean that I expect it to happen at any moment, although it could. But the fact that we will all die is one that should prompt us to get our “ducks in a row” and spend time doing things that need to be done. The most important thing is to let our loved ones know that even after we have moved on to eternity with God, they are still here and God is still with them. Moses could have said something bitter like, “These stiff-necked people aren’t even worth leading. Look at me…they’re the reason I cannot go into the Promised Land.” He didn’t play the blame game or point out the obvious to Joshua. He gave him hope by pointing out that God was still with them. God isn’t the One who leads just one person faithfully; He leads each of us if we will follow, and that is a legacy worth sharing. Sharing in this case is more than caring…it’s offering hope for a future and a promise for a bright tomorrow when life on earth ends. No fear, no discouragement, just move forward with God. Several of my grandchildren participate in track and field events. And when they do the relay race, they don’t pass the baton and say, “It’s really tough out there, so I doubt you can do this.” They pass the baton and say things like, “Go, Fast! You can do it!” Thus they already know how a baton should be passed. Moses knew too. The question is: Do we?
Enjoy the video and the verse and let the Lord refresh you today. Have a blessed day of worship!
I made an interesting observation about a correlation today. Don’t you think it is fascinating that Adam and Eve ate the fruit that God commanded them not to eat and were then banished from the Garden of Eden?
God said that they would die, and so they did since they lost the gift of eternal life and because of that choice, we all sin and have to face death.
But all was not lost when they left the Garden of Eden because God had a plan for a Savior, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the fruit that He would produce in our lives.
The story begins with fruit and our lives produce fruit if we are rooted and grounded in God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to be active in our lives.
I just thought that the imagery of fruit that began in Genesis and continued to Galatians is fascinating. God always has a plan and the plan was for us to bear fruit. Then we share that fruit with others who hopefully see Christ in us and want to have a relationship with Him and bear their own fruit. Think about it. God is so amazingly awesome in all He does!
Do you get annoyed when you are reading along in your Bible and come to a list of names that are difficult (impossible?) to pronounce,? But since it’s part of your daily reading, you plod through. That was my attitude until the Lord’s Spirit spoke to me and reminded me that MY name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and I don’t want it to be overlooked. If God puts a name in the Bible, it’s there for a reason and He wants us to read it. I actually challenge myself to read those sections out loud (a large part of Chronicles, by the way) and work on pronouncing the names correctly. These men (and sometimes ladies) are remembered by God, so who am I to say that they are not important so I should just skim over them? I especially liked the list of those returning to Israel after the exile. They are the Biblical survivors who must have done something right to survive the hardships in Babylon. So, the next time you get to a list of names in your Bible, I challenge you to read them. Someone in Heaven will read your name one day and you wouldn’t want your name to be left out, would you?
Here is some practice for you, just so you can see the importance of names in the Bible. Note the names of Tamar (who was raped by her brother) and the one who was the wife of Uriah is Bathsheba (the adulteress). Also, take note that Rahab, a prostitute from Jericho, the one who hid the spies, is named in the lineage of Jesus. Interesting, right? God included Gentiles and sinners in Jesus’s lineage. Think that’s an error? God doesn’t make mistakes!
“Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.”
Matthew 1:2-16 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.1.2-16.NKJV
