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.
If you’ve ever gone on a trip somewhere you’ve never been before, you know how important a map is. Maps help us navigate unfamiliar terrain and the unknown areas ahead. Similarly, God’s Word helps us navigate the unknown seasons of life.
God’s Word reveals God’s wisdom, which is a trustworthy guide. And Proverbs is a book of wisdom found in God’s Word—with knowledge that can help us live according to God’s will.
The book of Proverbs begins by acknowledging that everything begins with God. Because God is the creator of life, He knows how life works best and what direction our lives should go. Our role, according to Proverbs, is to seek Him and to trust Him. Trusting God means believing that He knows what’s best for us, and proving it by surrendering our lives and decisions to Him.
The more we trust in God and submit our lives to Him, the more we’ll live according to His will. Proverbs 3:6 says that when we submit to God’s wisdom in all our ways, He will direct and guide us. And thankfully, God has given us Scripture to show us what His will really looks like.
That’s why it’s important to read God’s Word daily and get familiar with all that He says, so that in every area of life, we can trust Him to direct our paths.
Take some time today to pray about the direction your life is headed. If there are situations you’re unsure about, ask God to give you wisdom. Allow Him to direct your paths. And as you talk to Him, get in the habit of reading His Word every day, so that you can grow in His knowledge and wisdom.
My Thoughts
Have you ever been traveling somewhere and thought you knew the exact route you should go to arrive on time to your destination? Then, that annoying sigh appears, DETOUR! That’s what life is like sometimes. We are going along cheerfully, following the road that we think we should be on and suddenly, you are faced with something unexpected. I don’t know what you do in that case, but the first thing I do is pray and ask God to lead me. Maybe I got off the correct path somewhere because I was not being fully alert. Or maybe God just wants me on a different path. Whatever the reason, the Maker of the Universe knows me best and knows the best way I should go, every day of my life. That’s why I think it is so important to start every day with reading His Word and praying. I don’t know everything, but God does. And I don’t always know what is best for me, but God does. So, I am trusting Him to get me safely where I need to be, in spite of twists, turns, and unexpected detours.
I went to bed late last night, or rather early this morning, after receiving numerous warnings about today’s impending storm. First, there were the texts from our Bible Study group that meets tonight telling us that they were watching the storm and would probably have to cancel the meeting. Then, there were the weather alerts, including this one.
Our schools in our district are closed since the time for dismissal would be when the storm might hit. On the map, we are south of Williamsburg, somewhere between the orange and the red zones.
You know, it’s good to have warnings that storms are coming so you can get prepared. I think my husband and I are as prepared as we can get. We live in a modular home, so it’s not a particularly safe structure, but it is not our home that we depend on to keep us safe. God will watch over us or bring us home to be with Him. Am I anxious? Well, yes, some. But at the back of my mind is the faith that I have leaned on for over 54 years now. God is always God, no matter what storms do.
Storms in our lives come and go. They are not always high winds, hail, thunder snow or even possible tornadoes. Sometimes, the storms come with advance notice. A loved one has an incurable disease and is going to die sooner rather than later. Financial problems arise when cars break down, houses need repairs and prices continue to rise. Unemployment is affecting the livelihood of someone in your life and you want to help but don’t have the means to do so. Your own health is not what you wish it was, and you are concerned about your ability to take care of yourself in the future. The list of possible storms is impossible it enumerate, isn’t it? Many storms come to suddenly and without any warning. Are they to be more feared or is God ready to carry us through them? It is a strong relationship with God that takes us through the storms we know about in advance as well as the surprise ones. Just think of some storms that you have weathered lately or are weathering now. What’s the answer? What do we do when the storms of life toss us around and there seems to be no end? Where do you go to take shelter?
We go to the One who spoke to the storm and told it to “Be still.” Whatever storm is raging within us or around us is subject to the Lord of the storm. The One who is the Lord of our lives is also the master of the winds, the water and the hail. He speaks to our hearts and tells us to “Be still.” He wants us to trust that He has us in the palm of His hand and as I have said before on previous posts: Nothing will happen to me today that God and I cannot handle together. Do you believe that? Do you know in your heart, mind and soul that God is in control? Storms come because that is what storms do. But they also go and leave us with a sense of our humanity and gratitude for God who knows and meets our needs, even in the midst of the storm.
So, even as I sit typing this post and waiting for the storm that the weather forecasts say is coming, I am hearing Jesus speak to my heart to have peace, to be still and to know without doubting that He is Lord. Not just of this storm outside, but of all of the storms in my life that rage and try to toss me around and to take my eyes off the Lord. God is and always will be the Lord of my life.
I pray that you may have the peace that comes from knowing that truth that God is your Lord, down into the depths of your soul and in so knowing you will trust God to calm the storms in your life and to bring you safely to the eternal harbor of your soul. May your day be blessed with the assurance of God’s love and protection.
I hope that you are taking time today to worship the One who freed you from sin and established you as His beloved child. God bless you today and always.
God warns us in His Word not to go into debt because then we are a slave to that person to whom we owe money. After decades of working on paying bills, getting out of debt and then falling right back into it again when an emergency of some sort arises, I know without a doubt that debt is not a good thing.
It’s always a good feeling to pay off a loan or a bill and know that money can be used for something else, hopefully a better choice than another debt. I don’t know many people who have had their loans and credit card bills paid off by a friend or family member. The rule seems to be that you get into and out of debt by yourself. But there is a huge exception.
Our sin is a debt that we can never repay, a chasm between us and our Creator who did not create us to be separated from Him by our own foolish choices to sin. So, He Himself provided a way for our debts to be paid once and for all. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our debt is paid in full. We can go boldly before God’s throne, knowing that the price is paid and that we are accepted by Him because of the sacrifice of Jesus. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He was saying that the debt was paid in full. There is no daily sacrifice or burnt offering necessary for us. He paid it all, so to Him we owe our lives, our everything that we will be and all that we are able to do to accomplish His purpose for us…we owe it all to Jesus. He is not a slave master but calls us His friends and His brothers. We are the children of God because He stood in the gap and paid the high cost of sin for us. Thanks be to God for His plan, His willingness to give His Son to sacrifice for us, and His great love for each of us!
CHICAGO, Ill., 1931—Gabriella Salatino, an illustrative journalist for the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency, never planned to return to her island home at the tip of Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula. Nor did she plan to witness a murder. But when her life is threatened, she has no choice but to hide out under the protective care of the man she left behind.
Deputy Andri Jóhannsson has been coming to Gabby’s rescue his entire life, but having her in his secluded home tests the limits of his patience. The woman has no sense of self-preservation, and he has a smuggling ring to ferret out. Except, her skill with sketchpad and pencils might be the very investigative tool he needs in order to catch the bootleggers.
With a murderer on her trail and criminals evading detection, Gabriella and Andri must set aside the past or risk its eruption. Because this time, the collateral damage might include more than losing their friendship. It might cost them the lives of those they love.
La Verità con Integrità. Truth with Integrity. The Legacy of a (Girl) Stunt Reporter.
Read the Whole Series(does not need to be read in order) Prequel: 1892 – Undercover Wish Book 1: 1931 – Eyewitness Sketch Book 2: 1932 – Sabotage Games Book 3: 1932 – Shrouded Trail Book 4: 1933 – Fraudulent Progress Book 5: 1935 – Pursuing Dust Book 6: 1936 – Hostile Ally
My Thoughts
With a fast pace and a story that begs to be read in one sitting, this book presents Gabriella Salatino, an artist whose life is in danger because she can sketch the scenes of a crime. Escaping to the small island where she was raised, Gabriella is put into the protective custody of a previous beau, Andri Johannsson. Andri is tasked with keeping the reluctant Gabby safe even as the two of them work to uncover who is behind the death of her good friend back in Chicago. Gabby is a talented artist with en eye for details and Andri is an observant and determined investigator who is good at following and clues and solving mysteries. Together, the two of them made a formidable pair and an absorbing tale of romantic suspense. The action engaging, the characters are believable and the suspense is compelling. The DiStasio Giournaliste Agency has a home in my heart and on my bookshelf with stories that are clean, easy to read and totally entertaining. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Christian Fiction with intense suspense, Rated PG
About the Author
Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning author of 1930s historical romance, where mystery and suspense intertwine with hope. Her work has received recognition, including a Distinguished Faith in Writing Award, two National Excellence in Storytelling Awards, and finalist honors in the FHLCW Reader’s Choice, Selah, Holt Medallion, and Daphne du Maurier contests.
A second-generation Italian-American rooted in Midwest traditions, Danielle draws inspiration from tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature. Holding a master’s in communication and culture, and driven by a lifelong love of stories, she crafts tales that celebrate resilience, diversity, and belonging. Danielle lives along Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan shoreline with her husband and two sons. Find her online at daniellegrandinetti.com.
Go to the original post, comment, follow and then remember to appreciate your pastor. God puts them in place to lead you, not to be criticized by you because they aren’t perfect.
Camille Abernathy ignored rumors of The Liar’s Treasure and her family’s connection to it . . . until someone put a target on her daughter’s back. Growing up in New Orleans, such tall tales were as common as beignets and gumbo. But when Camille’s teenage daughter, Cass, posts pictures of a centuries—old diary her uncle gave her, she unwittingly attracts dozens of treasure hunting fanatics who are convinced Cass and the diary can lead them to a valuable cache.
To keep her daughter safe, Camille enlists the help of Speranza, a secret society always ready to help women in need. Together, they set out on a globe—trotting journey to find The Liar’s Treasure while also investigating a suspicious death related to Camille’s childhood friend. The deeper they dig, the more they suspect it’s all connected.
Chasing clues from New Orleans to Italy to the Bahamas, Camille and her friends receive unexpected assistance—and unwanted competition—from a handsome treasure hunter from Camille’s past. Then Cass is kidnapped, and finding the treasure truly becomes a matter of life and death.
My Thoughts
This intriguing and captivating story took me on a delightfully wild ride as the Speranza Society is seeking a long-lost treasure, fighting off the bad guys repeatedly and trying to protect endangered family members, too. They do all this as they travel from one exotic location to another, use their Speranza sources and call on their computer guru Picasso each time the need arises. This is like a mixture of Indiana Jones meets a group of female James Bond-types, but without the steamy scenes or the cocktails. With a firm foundation of faith and a fast pace that kept me on the edge of my seat, this novel was an amazingly original story. It even included a little romance along with the sword fights, rappelling, rescuing and figuring out clues. My favorite character was Gran, a feisty Speranza Society member who is ready for the challenge of taking care of her granddaughter Cass while her daughter Camille goes to seek the treasure. There is even a swashbuckling hero who also wants the treasure, but he may want Camille in his life even more than the riches. As I said, there’s romance brewing along with the danger and plenty of engaging dialogue between the characters as they risk their lives for an unidentified treasure. The story is mesmerizing, the characters are relatable and dynamic and the entire novel was a pleasure to read. If I could give it more than five stars, I would since I don’t remember the last time I raced so quickly through a book just to find out how it would end. Where this book is concerned, sleep is highly overrated! 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.
Christian Fiction, Rated PG for Intense Suspense
About the Author
Connie Mann loves taking readers on heart-pounding, suspense-filled adventures featuring strong, determined women who fight for what they believe – and for those they love. She is the author of the Speranza Team novels, the Florida Wildlife Warriors series, the Safe Harbor series, and several stand-alone titles. She is also a USCG-licensed boat captain and gets to introduce Florida visitors to dolphins and manatees, which is as much fun as it sounds. Visit her online at: www.conniemann.com.
Questions and Answers with the Author
What kind of research did you do for this book? What was the most interesting thing you discovered in your research? Have you traveled to the exotic locales in your Speranza series?
The Liar’s Treasure is, at its heart, a treasure hunt and I had a blast researching what items people consider “treasure” and some of the clever, creative and often downright scary devices, traps and gimmicks they’ve used to hide and protect their valuables from those who want to get their hands on them. It was great fun!
I’m delighted that I’ve been able to visit most, if not all, of the locations I used in the Speranza team series. Choosing just the right settings for my stories is important to me and being able to bring them to life for my readers is one of my favorite parts of the writing process.
When did you know that you wanted to be an author?
I’ve always been an avid reader and penned my first story in 3rdgrade, an epic tale about my hamster. After college, I wrote non-fiction; lots of marketing materials and parenting articles before I mustered up the courage to try my hand at fiction. It took years of writing and dozens of rejection letters before my first novel was published in 2009. The Liar’s Treasure is my 10thpublished novel, something I’m very excited about.
What is your writing process like? Do you know the ending when you start writing?
Every writer’s process is different, but I am a plot-first writer. The action elements of the story are what I imagine first, like a movie playing in my head. The characters become 3-dimensional and get fleshed out as I write and get to know them. I always know WHAT the ending will be, even if I don’t quite know HOW; otherwise, I can’t start writing, any more than I can get in my car without knowing where I’m going. The ending is my guide.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not writing or reading a book?
Besides writing, I’m also a USCG-licensed boat captain and get to introduce Florida visitors to dolphins and manatees, which is great fun. Hubby and I love to travel and explore new places, especially in our RV and even more so if our travels include a visit with our two adorable grandsons.
If you could travel to any place in the world and cost was not a problem, where would you go and why?
I want to see all of it! If cost was not an issue, I would book an around-the-world trip so I could see as much as I could, experience different cultures, architecture and terrain, taste the cuisine, meet the people.
Thanks so much for the chance to be your guest and visit with your readers. I enjoyed it very much.
With deep appreciation to Tyndale House Publishing and Netgalley as well as to Connie Mann who provided the advanced reader copy for me to read and review. Connie also graciously answered my questions for the Q and A. And a shout out to the Launch Team Geek, Tammy Karasek, a friend who makes being part of a launch team friendly and fun!
If you are having difficulty trusting God and waiting in His waiting room, just add your name to the comments and I commit to praying for you. No matter the problem or trial or temptation, God is always faithful.
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 