Author: vicklea

I love to read! I’m a retired teacher with a spouse of 45 years, three amazing children and nine wonderful grandchildren. I am blessed!

God’s Promises

On By vickleaIn Scripture4 Comments

www.bible.com/1171/2co.1.20.mev

I don’t make resolutions, but this year I think that I need more encouragement than normal, so I have decided to keep a notebook of God’s promises and the attributes of Jesus as I read my Bible this year. This is the first one. ALL of God’s promises are “yes.” If He has promised it, He will bring it to pass. In these days that seem to be a forerunner of the end times of Revelations, it is good to remember that God wins in the end. That’s a promise! Plus, his promises are “amen” meaning a resounding “so be it.” If God says something, He will bring it to pass. I have been known to forget promises, only to be reminded by my children, “Mom, remember that you promised that we could go to the pool after dinner tonight?” I learned not to make promises that I could not keep. God didn’t have to learn that. He knows exactly what His plans are and works to fulfill them, making and keeping promises in our lives. I’m really looking forward to rediscovering more of God’s promises this year so that at the end of the year, I have a notebook filled with them. It will be a tangible piece of the Bible that I can hold on to when I need that small word from Him that gives me the peace that I need in my soul. I hope and pray that each of you will hold steadfast to the promises of God, whether you write them down or not. God is always good, always on time and always sovereign. Bless you, my friends!

Review of THE PERFECT GUESTS by Emma Rous

On By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment
Because of content, subject matter and the themes, I would rate this book a hard PG-13.

Okay, so what genre to assign to this book? Mystery plus domestic drama, maybe? Whatever genre it is, it was entertaining, particularly because of how different the style is. The story is told by two narrators and two time periods, Beth in 1988 and Sadie in 2019. The story twists all around until at last the two come together, in what I thought was very contrived, but it did work. I thought that the plot was well-developed with a lot of revelations in the middle and then it was kind of downhill all the way to the end. The conclusion was a surprise that I was not able to guess, but I also thought that it defied belief. The book reminded me a lot of the game “Clue” and the book by Agatha Christie with a similar plot of house guests being picked off one by one. The connections are the real meat of this story and the author did a fantastic job of laying false trails of clues, interspersed with the real ones, so that kept me interested. Fans of mystery will enjoy this book, but I was looking for more suspense that was never really there.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Photo and Bio from the author’s website at http://www.emmarous.com

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Thanks to Penguin Random House for the ARC to read and review! This is an entertaining book with a lot of twists. Buy it today!

Review of LETHAL INTENT by Cara C. Putman

On By vickleaIn Book Review2 Comments
This is Christian fiction but it is intense. For that reason, I would give it a PG-13 rating.

I raced through this book because it was so intense and compelling. With characters that jumped off the page into my heart, the author did a stellar job of writing a medical-legal-romantic suspense that had all of the elements of each one, twisted together into a complicated plot. Caroline Bragg is the strong female protagonist, a newly hired lawyer for the oncology research lab Praecursoria. She is developing a romantic relationship with Brandon Lancaster, a former pro-football star who owns and operates a home for foster children. The two have a relationship that conflicts with the research of P. because the lab wants to use one of the children there for their experimental treatment. Bethany, the little girl, tugged at my heartstrings since she was already suffering from not having her biological parents and then is diagnosed with a deadly case of leukemia. A further complication to the plot is that Brandon has invested a lot of his money in the science lab and needs a solid return to keep Almost Home open. This was a book that broke my heart, had tears flowing freely and had me turning pages as fast as I could to find out if the arrogant, seemingly heartless heads of the research lab would ultimately be caught in a nefarious scheme or if they really were working for the good of the children involved in their study. By the time I reached the ending, I was totally wrung out, issued a deep sigh and continued to think about what I had just read. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time because of its deep themes of ethics in medicine and corporate secrets. Fans of legal thrillers will want to set aside time to read this book quickly because you will not want to put it down.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book Thomas Nelson Publishers via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

From the author’s website at http://www.caraputman.com

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“Sinvy” and the Elder Son

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/23588/day/5

I will just leave this here for you to think about. Sadly, I am a lot like the elder son and need to spend some time before the Lord repenting for my own self-righteousness. I hope that each of you will take a good look at your hearts. Are you like the prodigal son, the one whose sin was so evident? Or maybe you are like the elder son, suffering from what Mark Hall calls “sinvy”? Blessings to each of you for a day filled with love, kindness and introspection.

On a side note, if you happen to be on Twitter, please go on the site of our gracious First Lady and read her post today. Without getting political, I just want to say that Melania Trump has been a shining example of what a First Lady should be. In spite of all of the constant criticism of her husband, she has maintained a calm and loving demeanor. I pray for her and Barron (and the President) as they leave the White House and pursue a private life. I wish them all the best that God has to offer because of all of their sacrifices and hardships for the last four years.

Don’t Give Up

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

www.bible.com/1171/heb.12.3.mev

Never, never give up! Jesus faced hostility on every hand, up to and including death on the cross. Yet He never stopped ministering to the needy and speaking truth to the people who desperately needed to hear it. We say that we are living in hard times. Well, so were the Israelites as they were under the mighty and ruthless hand of the Roman government. Who has it tougher? That’s not a question we can answer because those living during a particular time only have the viewpoint of their own timeline in which they are living. I’m sure that the Israelites thought that they had it tougher and I’m equally sure that the “man on the street” whom you ask would reply that today is tougher. Nevertheless, Jesus ministered. He walked the walk and talked the talk. He said that what He spoke and did was what His Father in Heaven had told Him to say and do. Can we do any less? We need to spend time in prayer, ask God what He wants us to do and say and then do it and say it. We cannot grow weary just because things are hard. Following Jesus’s lead, we should never give up. There are souls who need to hear the Gospel and for whom we are the hands and feet of Jesus. Let’s move, Army of God! We have our orders and they don’t say to sit and wait passively for His coming! Our orders say to work and to go! God bless you as you complete your mission.

Why God Loves Us

On By vickleaIn Scripture4 Comments

www.bible.com/1171/luk.15.32.mev

In my devotional this morning, the speaker, Mark Hall from Casting Crowns, said something so simple and yet so profound. He said, “God doesn’t love me because I’m good. He loves me because He is good.” That was a “wow” moment for me. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t consider myself self-righteous and/or good. In fact, I have always been in the camp that believes that I can never be good enough to earn salvation. After all, it is a free gift from God. We just celebrated Christmas, the time when we rejoice in the free gift that God sent to the earth, His Only Son. Why did God send Jesus? Because of His love for us. Because God is good. Yes, I already knew that, and so did you. However, today, this word got into the deep parts of my soul, creeping into the places where there has been doubt and fear. He loves me. He is good. Nothing will happen today that I can’t handle because God is on my side. Almost fifty years ago, I stopped running from God and accepted His free gift of salvation. The road since then has been rocky and twisted. I’d like to think that I have never doubted God’s love for me, but if I am honest, that is not true. When I was feeling all alone in yet another new place, I can remember having pity parties for myself instead of turning to God and His love. In the middle of those parties, God would reach down, pluck me out and tell me what He wanted me to do so that I would feel better. That was His love, continually reaching out for me. In less than two weeks, many in the U.S. will be celebrating the inauguration of a new President. I am already mourning this new government because it means change. I don’t like change; I have never liked change because it is…well, different, unexpected and frightening. But God keeps telling me that He is in control. I have been “lost” in my fear and God spoke to me clearly this morning that He knows what is going on with me, why I cannot stand to watch a news broadcast or hear the sound of the voice of the incoming President. He knows my heart, the heart that He created. He has spoken to that heart that He loves me and I’m going to be okay. That won’t be because the new administration promises hope and prosperity. It will be because God offers that hope, in His Word as I study it daily. I pray that you realize today just how much God loves you, not because you are good and deserve His love. No, He loves you because He is good and will always want what is best for you. God is good, all the time. Blessings, my friends, for a day filled with love, joy and laughter, knowing that the King of the Universe loves Y-O-U!

Heartbroken

On By vickleaIn News Reports3 Comments

Dr. Denison said it much better than I could, and his article is below. Yes, I’m still upset about what I consider a fraudulent election that took place on November 3rd and again on Tuesday in Georgia. But, there is a peaceful way to do things. Yesterday was not it. I am saddened by the thought that the world looks at our democracy as an example of what not to be. I pray for the United States of America to survive the next four years of socialism, but if we do not, then I believe that it is because we did not truly submit to the Lord. Pray for the U.S.A. Do not condemn us; we are hurting and need to heal from a divisive election that was not transparent and seemingly not free and fair as we tout that our elections should be. God bless all of you. No matter which side of the debate you are on, God loves you and wants you to know that His love is greater than your sin.

Dr. Denison Forum January 6, 2021

Review of ALL THAT WE CARRIED by Erin Bartels

On By vickleaIn Book Review3 Comments
The cover is just as beautiful as the book itself.
Five big stars for this wonderful book. Rated G.

Oh, my! I don’t even know where to start with this amazing book! I would give it more than five stars if I could because it had me pondering, imagining, and crying at times, too. What a wonderful story of a broken relationship between two siblings who take a hike together in order to try to reconnect. If things could go wrong on the hike, they did and both Olivia and Melanie are left wondering what they were thinking when they chose to go on this trip. The characters were so very realistic that I could see myself in Olivia, the sister who just had to organize everything down to the last detail. The story also included Christian beliefs, why we believe what we do. This story had me doing some deep diving into my own beliefs as I read the story of the two sisters coming to terms with what they believe and why. I really enjoyed reading about the character of Josh, a young man who always seemed to be there to rescue them right at the moment when they needed him. Definitely a picture of Jesus! And then there was Justin. He was a young man who was so needy and whose needs were met in the most miraculous of ways! I can’t say more without spoiling the story for others, but I highly recommend this book for all who want to read a tale of two sisters, a hiking trail and their journey to the truth.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Photo and bio from author’s webpage at http://www.erinbartels.com

ERIN BARTELS is the award-winning author of We Hope for Better Things—a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, winner of the 2020 Star Award from the Women’s Fiction Writers Association in both the debut and general fiction categories, and a 2019 Christy Award finalist—The Words between Us—a 2020 Christy Award finalist—and All That We Carried (coming January 2021). Her short story “This Elegant Ruin” was a finalist in The Saturday Evening Post 2014 Great American Fiction Contest. Her poems have been published by The Lyric and The East Lansing Poetry Attack. A member of the Capital City Writers Association and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, she is former features editor of WFWA’s Write On! magazine and current director of the annual WFWA Writers Retreat in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Erin lives in the beautiful, water-defined state of Michigan where she is never more than a ninety minute drive from one of the Great Lakes or six miles from an inland lake, river, or stream. She grew up in the Bay City area waiting for freighters and sailboats at drawbridges and watching the best 4th of July fireworks displays in the nation. She spent her college and young married years in Grand Rapids feeling decidedly not-Dutch. She currently lives with her husband and son in Lansing, nestled somewhere between angry protesters on the Capitol lawn and couch-burning frat boys at Michigan State University. And yet, she claims it is really quite peaceful.

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I hope that you will seriously consider adding this book to your shelf because it’s beautiful inside and out.

When Do We Trust God?

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

www.bible.com/1171/psa.62.8.mev

The answer to the question that I have posed is in the Scripture–ALL the time! When things are going well, when things are going badly, when you’re well, when you’re ill, basically always. When you pray, it’s okay to tell God that you are having problems with faith. In fact, I prayed this morning for God to help my unbelief. It’s not that I doubt the existence of God, but that just sometimes like many of you, I get discouraged. The pain in my body was overwhelming this morning; there were not enough ice packs to take care of all of it. Nevertheless, I arose, thanked God for a new day, and here I am with this Scripture verse that God gave me in my devotional this morning. Perhaps this verse is only for me, but I’m sharing it here just in case someone else out there in the blogosphere needs it. It’s okay to tell God exactly how you’re feeling because He already knows and provides a shelter for us in His loving arms. God is good…all the time. I repeat that mantra to myself frequently, sometimes to remind myself and sometimes as a praise to Him. I hope that you remember that God wants what is best for you, all the time. He is always there to answer, even when you may be like me and suffering and grumpy. It’s amazing to me that God never gets grumpy with me! Blessings, my friends, for a day that is filled with God’s goodness and a day of trust and amazement at God’s goodness to you!