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.
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!
I say “Yes and Amen, Lord” to this scripture verse. It is one to hold on to when your body seems to be going the wrong way. I laughed the other day when my husband told me that once you turn seventy, your “check engine” light comes on and doesn’t go off. Funny analogy, right? I prefer to think that as I age, the pains remind me that I am closer to my eternal home where there will be no more pain, no more doctors’ visits and no more tears of frustration over yet another medical condition. We cannot hold on to this life, but we can hold on to God and His promises in His Word!
Trusting God through Pain
Have you ever experienced deep pain? Maybe you or someone you know received a painful diagnosis. Or perhaps you or someone you know is living with lifelong pain.
All of us experience pain, sickness, and suffering in our life. It’s part of our human experience because of the effects of sin on creation. Every single person will experience death, pain, and sickness.
However, in the midst of those things, God promises to be with us. The Psalmist gives us an incredible promise in Psalm 73:26. Even though our flesh and heart will fail, God promises to be our strength and portion forever.
That means God is working in our life to strengthen us. Scripture tells us that one day, God will make everything new (Revelation 21:5). The world will be like He intended it to be–free of pain, suffering, and death. God will restore all things.
So, while we experience pain and suffering in this life, we can have hope and look forward to the restoration of all things–especially the resurrection of our bodies. The God who created us from the inside out and knows everything about us will restore our bodies to perfection when we join Him in heaven.
Take a moment to reflect on the frailty of your earthly body. Give thanks to God for creating you and giving you life. Just like the Psalmist, ask Him to be your strength and your portion forever. Remember that He cares for you and loves you. Take hope that one day, He will restore all things, including our pain and suffering.
How different would our world, communities, and homes look if we committed to helping the hurting around us?
The writer of Proverbs, typically considered to be King Solomon, penned these words:
“If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!”
Proverbs 19:17 NLT
There are those who are financially or materialistically poor. Maybe they were born into a cycle of poverty, have hit hard times, or are physically or mentally sick. But there are also those—like Jesus mentioned in Matthew 5—who are poor in spirit.
Giving generously to those in need, caring for the vulnerable, and living an open-hearted life is the call of every believer.
Jesus echoed this theme in Matthew 25, explaining that good works like feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, showing hospitality to strangers, and visiting the sick or incarcerated will not go unnoticed. In fact, when we do such things, we’re actually serving Jesus (Matthew 25:40).
How wonderful would it be to end poverty, stop hunger, and witness the day when the world is entirely at peace? Eventually, Jesus will make all that is wrong right, once and for all. But until then, we get to keep serving Him and loving others every chance we get.
No one can do everything, but we all can do something.
Genuine followers of Jesus will be compelled by His Spirit to love the people He’s created. And if that’s not enough, we can believe Him when He says that He rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
John put it this way:
“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?”
1 John 3:17 NLT
When we serve God’s people out of obedience, we’re serving Him!
When you get a raise or a promotion or a new baby arrives, you cannot wait to share the good news with everyone you know and even some strangers you may meet. The really good news that we should be sharing is the new life made possible because of the arrival of Jesus. On this Christmas Eve, take time to share the reason you are joyous and celebrating. Take time to tell others about your hope, your peace and your Savior!
Think about what Jesus means to you as you watch this video. He helps us make wise choices, He performs miracles just when we need them and least expect them, He is our Father who holds us close and comforts us when we are hurting, and He gives us the peace we need in the middle of the storms of life. Jesus is our all in all…God sent His son to be our everything.
Today I go to the surgeon for a consultation about surgery on my cervical spine. I confess that I am anxious, but I am choosing to worship God in spite of the anxiety because He is always worthy.
Update: I saw the surgeon and he recommended physical therapy, telling me that the surgery is definitely major surgery and not to be done quickly. So, I will call PT today and schedule an appointment. On the plus side, I can travel to see our family in MD for a couple of days before I have to start PT. And I see the surgeon again in two months for a re-evaluation. Getting old isn’t for sissies, but it is okay for those of us holding tightly to God’s hand. Thank you for your prayers.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Marine’s Deadly Reunion by Loretta Eidson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Marine’s Deadly Reunion Series: The Protectors Author: Loretta Eidson Publisher: Inspirational The Protectors Collection (Love Inspired) Release Date: December 26, 2023 Genre: Christian romantic suspense
To keep a child safe
They must outrun a killer…
When Sergeant Daria Gordon saves US Marine Jake Fisher and his baby niece from an attacker, she instantly puts a target on her own back. Someone murdered Jake’s sister and now they want Jake and Daria dead. To survive, Jake and Daria must discover this ruthless killer’s identity. But can they uncover the truth and keep the baby safe…before the killer finds them?
The story is so real that my heart was pounding from the first scene in which the cute little toddler was endangered. Police Sergeant Daria Gordon and US Marine Jake Fisher have to combine forces to keep little Emma safe and to find out who is targeting them. From one threat to another, these two are kept busy trying to keep themselves and the baby safe. The entire story was like riding a toboggan downhill after a fresh snowfall. I didn’t know where I was going to end up, but I surely enjoyed the ride! The characters were an original breath of fresh air, with the heroic marine taking second chair to the leadership of determined and gritty Daria. She establishes early in the story that she is the one in authority so he has to follow her lead. Together, they manage to make an invincible and strong team of protectors for Emma. There is a lot of deceit and a complex yarn of a story to unravel in order to find out why Emma is being targeted, and the author does a masterful job of throwing out the line and reeling me in. I was engrossed in the story, the characters and the setting. Small town and big crimes? Count me in! This book has all of the elements that I love in romantic suspense: drama, mystery, family, faith and romance. The quick pace is a bonus, but I must say that I was sorry to see the story end because I fell in love with the characters and their bold defense of each other. 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, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Clean Christian Fiction
About the Author
Award-winning author Loretta Eidson lives by the motto ‘never a dull moment,’ especially with her four children, thirteen grandchildren, and four great-grands. Her love of reading began during the required library time in middle school, where she devoured Phyllis Whitney’s mystery novels before she moved on to suspense author Frank Peretti. She left her eighteen-year administrative assistant position at her church to pursue the dream of writing inspirational romantic suspense. She has multiple short stories in anthologies, but her heart is writing romantic suspense. She believes in the power of prayer and loves putting her hero and heroine in realistic predicaments where they must trust God to pull them through. Connect with Loretta by visiting lorettaeidson.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Questions and Answers with the Author
1) What kind of research did you do for this book? What was the most interesting (or most frightening) thing you learned in the research you did for this book?
While out of town on vacation earlier this year, I talked to a police officer in a small mountain town and asked about protocol within the department. He reassured me titles for officers are mostly the same for small police departments and big cities.
The most interesting part of this research was driving through the mountains, taking pictures of old barns, mountain roads, restaurant designs, etc.
2) What was your favorite part of writing this book/series?
My favorite part of writing this book was writing the dialogue between Jake and Daria. Since both come from places of authority, they butt heads multiple times before they finally come to an agreement.
Jake, being the tough marine and Daria, being the authority in town, must find common ground as they work together to save baby Emma. I loved writing about Jake’s interaction with the baby. He knows nothing about caring for a little one and must shift his ways of thinking as an adult to deciphering what Emma needs.
3) Did anything in the story end up surprising you or changing the trajectory?
The surprising part of this story was my villain. I’ll not disclose inside information, but the villain shows up several times throughout the story. At one point I used a red herring, but the more I wrote, the more the story took a shift, which surprised me, and worked out better than I’d imagined.
4) When and how did you know that you wanted to be an author?
About 12-13 years ago, I listened to multiple stories of hopelessness, sorrow, and doubts from those in my church. The desire to share Christ with others in a non-threatening way welled up within me. Writing inspirational storiesseemed the perfect direction to take. Of course, romantic suspense was my favorite genre, so that’s what I chose, inspirational romantic suspense.
5) What is your writing process like?
I love to get up in the mornings, have my coffee/breakfast, read my devotion for the day, and dive into writing. It doesn’t always work out the way I plan, but since I’m a morning person, that’s the time of day I prefer. Of course, I’m a little on the OCD side, so I like to have my house in order, laundry done, and dishes washed before I bury myself in writing. In that case, I will do what I can before going to bed at night and the next morning, promptly put things away as I’m preparing for my day.
6) What would be your advice to new authors?
My advice to new authors is to keep pursuing your dreams/calling. Though you spend countless hours preparing a proposal and a rejection comes after months of waiting, allow yourself a moment to process what just happened, then pick up and start again.
As far as for aspiring writers, don’t give up. It takes persistence, dedication, and a willingness to learn the ins and outs of the publishing industry, reading guidelines, researching, etc., to reach for your dreams.
7) If you could have a luncheon with a group of authors, whom would you invite and why?
Oh goodness! How many am I allowed to name here? I would invite DiAnn Mills, Jessica Patch, Patricia Bradley, Lynette Eason, Dana R Lynn, Virginia Vaughan, Darlene L Turner, Sami Abrams, Dana Mentink! Should I go on? All of these authors are fun to hang out with, laugh with, and talk about writing stuff.
8) What is your favorite thing to do when you are not writing or reading a book?
I love to binge watch suspenseful series on Netflix or watch unsolved mysteries. Of course, I do like shopping, eating out, and hanging out with family and friends.
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 18, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 25, 2023. 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.
Pause for a moment and consider how good God is. Thank Him for the breath you have, the life you live, and all the blessings you experience.
God is worthy of your praise.
Life isn’t perfect; there’s pain, suffering, and grief we all must endure. We all face dark and tough seasons.
However, Jesus experienced similar trials in His life. He grieved the loss of His friends, endured pain and suffering, and walked through dark times—feeling abandoned even on the cross.
None of these experiences alter the goodness of God. He remains good, present, and strengthens us in our suffering.
That’s why in 1 Chronicles 16:10, the writer encourages us to glory in His name. It means we should praise and uplift God in our lives. Our lips should overflow with praise, thanking God for who He is and what He has done.
What are some things you can thank God for today? How can you praise Him? Perhaps start by listing things you’re grateful for, then praising God for each one.
You might also list challenging aspects of your life. Spend time praying during this Advent season, asking God to oversee your circumstances. Thank Him for listening and being present, even in tough seasons.
A millionaire and a woman who thinks he’s a house flipper are stuck living in a house together with a menagerie of rescue dogs as roommates, in this heartfelt romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton.
After her ex took all their money and bailed, Hazel Bristow is left broke and homeless. A kind friend whose home is on the market lets Hazel and her foster dogs stay there until it sells. It’s the perfect setup, until her friend forgets to tell Hazel she’s sold the house.
Linc Kennedy is shocked to find Hazel and her pups squatting in the house he just bought, but after some negotiating—she offers to cook amazing meals for him in return for a paycheck—he agrees to let her remain while he’s renovating the place. Linc tells Hazel he’s an investor who renovates homes for fun—he just leaves out the part about being wealthy.
Hazel’s intrigued by Linc. He’s funny, sweet, ridiculously hot, and loves dogs almost as much as she does. But her track record with men? Not great. She worries her trust meter isn’t in working order.
Linc’s never met anyone like the quirky beauty who puts everyone’s needs—human and canine—before her own. He didn’t tell her about his wealth because he’s been burned by women who only wanted him for his money. But with Hazel, he’s never felt more like himself. Now he has to figure out how to tell her the truth without losing her. Because Linc realizes what he feels for her isn’t puppy love—it’s true love.
My Thoughts
An escape into a fun-to-read rom-com is just what I needed during the busy holiday season to take me away to a world of laughter, love and entertainment. Hazel fosters dogs and is basically homeless, living in the home of a friend while she tries to get money together to pay for her own place. Enter Linc, a swoonworthy hero, who has purchased the house she is living in and agrees to let her continue to stay there while he remodels it as long as she will cook for him. What a setup for some humorous scenes since Hazel is a quirky character who has no idea that Linc is a millionaire. I loved the dogs who each have their own personality and become characters in their own right. I also enjoyed the interactions between Hazel and Linc, neither of whom knew enough about the other but both were willing to learn. This is a story filled with heart and humor that is perfect for fans of rom-coms with dogs and a lot of original twists to a clever plot. The pace is just fast enough to keep me engaged and the characters are relatable and lovable. 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, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Rated PG
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jaci Burton is happy to be living her dream of writing passionate contemporary romance. She has written over seventy-five novels to date. Jaci has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business that she is delighted not to be using in her previous life of corporate management. She grew up in Missouri, migrated to California, but has been happily making her home in Oklahoma for the past fifteen years with her husband and dogs. She enjoys being outdoors in the summer and she and her husband are avid Harley riders. Jaci was honored with the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award as well as their Reviewers Choice Award. She has been a finalist in the Bookseller’s Best and National Reader’s Choice Awards, and has won The Romance Studio’s CAPA Award four times. Jaci is a member of Romance Writers of America. You can find Jaci on the web at the following locations: Website: jaciburton.com Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorJaciBurton Twitter: twitter.com/jaciburton Instagram: instagram.com/jaciburton Contact: jaci@jaciburton.com
www.bible.com/reading-plans/22462/day/22
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 