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.
This is a popular verse to refer to when we are claiming God’s wonderful promises of protection and blessing. But we must remember that it is equally applicable to God’s judgment and justice. As I read the Bible, I am more and more aware that God’s judgment is coming just as He said because He does not ever lie…not about the good things He has promised to those who are faithful and the judgment He has established for those who have chosen to follow their own way. Think about it. God’s word is absolutely true from beginning to end and He will carry it out. May He find us faithful!
I don’t know about you, but I have not arrived at the place where I would call myself “holy.” I am being made holy, every day, as I press in closer to Jesus and learn how to be more like Him.
Jesus considers us perfect because of His completed sacrifice, but He also knows that the work in us is ongoing. We are “being made holy.”
God’s will is not to leave us where He finds us but to move us forward with Him, being made holy. Jesus sacrificed Himself once for all time (even for those who lived before the days of Jesus). God’s heartfelt desire is that we be made holy and He needs our cooperation to help make that happen in our lives. He will not take over our free will choices; we have to choose daily to serve and to want to be more like Jesus and more pleasing to God as we become more holy in His sight.
Jesus is our High Priest and He finished the work that the Father sent Him to do. Then He sat down. When do you sit down? When your work is done…when you have done all you can. Now the work of becoming holy is on us…we have to work towards being more like Jesus. No, we are not saved by works, but we can please out Heavenly Father by becoming more holy every day. Every day is a new day to make new choices that will honor and glorify God. Make good choices!
Whatever is going on in your life and in mine is temporary. In fact, this whole life on earth is temporary. We can whine, moan, complain and rail against our Creator, or we can accept, continue to praise Him and know that the lessons we are learning from our difficulties will help us to stand firmly as we wait to live in His Kingdom. What we think is so big and overwhelming is actually just an annoying pest, one that we can use to grow or that can trample us so that we are not useful to God. I choose to use troubles to grow. How about you?
So, my health has had a few blips lately, with a visit and stay in the hospital, multiple visits to specialists and a general feeling of “what’s next.” But God has been with me through it all and encouraged me with my devotional this morning.
This is a quotation from my devotional. It expresses well what I have been doing since I found out that I have to see a neurosurgeon about my frequent headaches. I am looking up! Psalm 121 is one of my favorite psalms, reminding me that nothing is happening in my life that God does not have under His control. My help has always been and will always be from the Lord.When I am resting at night, God doesn’t rest. He is looking over me, just as He is watching over Israel. God loves me and we not allow me to stumble around aimlessly searching for Him. He is right there beside me, day and night. No matter what may come against me, the Lord is my shade protecting me from harm. I don’t know the end of this health situation, but I trust the One who does know. God is watching over my life, when I go to doctors, travel to a memorial service next week, spend time with grandchildren, whatever I do and wherever I am. He is watching over me until the day He calls me home to be with Him. That is a promise from God and what keeps me looking up in faith and expectation. God is good…all the time!
When Detective Jo Fournier’s cousin goes missing with her sweet five-year-old Alexia, Jo heads straight to where they were last seen. Her heart stops when she finds their unlocked car—one door has been left open and Alexia’s beloved teddy is lying in the snow. Jo’s blood runs cold as she realizes her family have been kidnapped…
Even as she swears to bring them home, Jo makes a discovery that chills her to the bone: other young, single mothers have vanished with their little daughters just before Christmas.
As Jo’s team re-open the cold cases, they make a terrible discovery. Buried deep under the snow in the forest near Oakhurst are the bones of a mother and daughter who disappeared. The snowy grave contains a little angel, the kind you would hang on a Christmas tree.
With no sign of her cousin and little Alexia, Jo is sure that they are in the hands of a twisted serial killer and running out of time. Discovering suspicious activity in the security footage from the day her cousins were taken gives Jo the clue she’s been desperately searching for. Can Jo bring her family home safe, or has the killer lured her into a terrifying trap?
My Thoughts
This is the first book that I have read in this series, but it definitely won’t be the last as I am a newly devoted fan to Detective Jo Fournier. In this book, Jo is personally involved with a crime since her cousins are kidnapped and she is desperate to find them before it is too late. The book combines the genres of police procedural with family drama and high suspense. The pace is fast and furious as Jo races find Paxton and little Alexia, with lots of roadblocks and false clues along the way. The characters are realistic and the narrator switches between the police investigation to the perpetrator and his expectations for his captives. It was interesting to read how determined Paxton was to keep her and Alexia safe and play along with the “game” of the captor until she could figure out a possible way to escape. The setting was eerie, just creepy enough to give me chills, and the action was pulse pounding and realistic. I especially enjoyed how methodical Jo was in her investigation, following clues relentlessly. Because the victims are young and innocent, the book appealed to my need to see a quick and happy resolution. The crime was not the first one for this perpetrator though so there are a lot of red herrings and false trails for Jo and her team to follow before they find the right one. My favorite part of the book was the insight into the thought processes of the investigators and how tenacious they were. This book is enjoyable, compelling and intense with some clever twists and a satisfying conclusion. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture 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.”
Rated PG-13. This is an intense crime thriller and police procedural.
About the Author
For more information about the author and her other books, go to www.mmchouinard.com
With many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book and for introducing me to a new-to-me detective series.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Doctor’s Christmas Dilemma by Danielle Thorne, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Doctor’s Christmas Dilemma Author: Danielle Thorne Publisher: Love Inspired Release Date: October 24th, 2023 Genre: Inspirational Romance
Home for the holidays…
Or home for good?
Once upon a time, Ben Cooper left his hometown to follow his dreams of becoming a big-city doctor. Now he’s back to run his father’s clinic and spend Christmas with his daughter, not to fall for McKenzie Price, the woman who broke his heart. But when McKenzie steps in to help Ben reconnect with his little girl, and old sparks begin to ignite, will Ben give up city life for a second chance at love?
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Predictably sweet romance and so warm-hearted that it gave me all of the tingles in my toes! Dr.Ben Cooper returns to his small hometown to help out his father, a physician who had heart surgery and who needs Ben’s help running his rural clinic while he recovers. Ben gets reacquainted with Mackenzie Price, his former girlfriend in high school who basically dumped him publicly. Ben left and hasn’t looked back except to visit his daughter who lives with his parents. Now, that part of the book, I found a little unbelievable. He had a wife but she wants nothing to do with the cute little sweetheart, Ben is too busy establishing his career as a big-city doctor, so he drops his darling daughter off with his parents, calling infrequently and visiting less frequently. Thus, Ben is not a hero but starts out as a zero for me. He does redeem himself in the course of the book, but it is an uphill battle since he is presented as rather self-centered and career-minded rather than wanting to actually help others as the doctor he is trained to be. The good news is that he is a dynamic character and he changes, albeit slowly and somewhat reluctantly. I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters in the little town of Kudzu Creek, especially Ms. Olivia, the elderly lady who insists that Ben be her physician regardless of his reluctance. I liked how the characters discovered things about themselves as the story progressed and how they were willing to learn and change. The pace was moderate, a perfect pace for a romance to develop. This is my first book by Danielle Thorne but I will definitely be on the lookout for other books she has written since this one was entertaining and enjoyable. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Just Reads Publicity Tour for the purpose of reviewing the book. 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 and inspirational romance. Rated G.
About the Author
Danielle Thorne writes happily-ever-afters set in the South for Harlequin Love Inspired. A graduate of BYU-Idaho, she also writes stories about Regency ladies, pirates, and not-so-distressed damsels from her home south of Atlanta. Free time is filled with documentaries, too much yard work, and not enough travel. When not writing wholesome romances, Danielle hangs out with friends or chases cats. She enjoys the outdoors and serving in her church and community. Danielle’s been married to the same fellow for thirty years, has four sons, four bonus daughters and two grandbabies. She loves them more than life. Connect with Danielle by visiting daniellethorne.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will win an autographed print copy of The Doctor’s Christmas Dilemma, a bookmark, and a $25 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 7, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 14, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Many in today’s world claim to know God, to believe in Jesus and therefore, they think that they must be Christians. But are they really? The Bible tells us that they are blinded and remain guilty because they claim that they can see. Do they really see God as He is…holy, righteous, and worthy of all praise? Do they really know Jesus as Lord and Savior? We need to be careful when we are sharing the Gospel to get to the root of what people really think and not just the surface where they claim that they are already believers. Their eternal destiny may depend on our calling a spade a spade and pointing out errors and falsehood, just as Jesus did. No sugar-coating, no watering things down. Just share the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Perhaps they will see, perhaps not, but at least you will have fulfilled your part in helping them to see clearly.
My husband and I are part of a small group that studies the Bible together on Monday evening. Last night our lesson was about Jesus being the Good Shepherd and our responsibility to be shepherds ourselves. Let me share with you a small portion of the lesson that was eye-opening to me.
Jesus did not call Himself just any shepherd. He is the GOOD shepherd. He fulfilled all that the Father told Him to do, ultimately laying down His life so that we can share eternal life with the Father. Good shepherds in the field have to protect their sheep from danger: the wolves, the lions, the terrain. They also have to keep their sheep from wandering off. I’m sure you have heard before that sheep are dumb; they wander away and have even been known to step off of cliffs or into culverts and get stuck. So, the responsibility for taking care of sheep is not to be taken lightly; it’s a 24/7 job for those who choose to accept it.
Jesus knows each of His sheep. By the way, in case you don’t know it, we are the sheep to which He is referring. He knows our weaknesses, our strengths, our needs and our failings. Real shepherds spend so much time with their sheep that they get to know all of them well, the ones who need a little extra care of the ones who are stubborn and need to be cajoled some. Likewise, Jesus knows each of us, and the really good news is that He loves us in spite of our shortcomings.
In the book of Jeremiah, God promises the people to give them shepherds. Note that the word is plural and this is where the lesson got very personal for me. Not only are we sheep, but we are also called to be shepherds. We minister to other sheep just as God has ministered to us. Who in your life told you about the Lord to begin with? Was there someone on whom you depended for advice and to lead you along the way until you felt steady on your feet on the new path to eternal life? For me, it was my neighbor Verna. She gave me a Bible, told me about the Lord and met with me regularly to discuss God’s Word. She also invited me to church and transported me there. She was my shepherd for a good while, until I could stand securely alone. I didn’t know at the time that she was being a shepherd, but I recognize that now.
Whatever shepherd God has sent to lead you is taking you out of the wilderness of sin into the land where there is a river of life and no lack of any good thing. The wilderness is where we used to live as sinners, content to follow the path the rest of the world was following. But the shepherd that God sent led us away, gently and with encouragement and truth. We are to lead others in like manner so that they, too, can be freed from the sin that has held them captive for years. Thus we become shepherds to others just as Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
Peter, the “rock upon which the church was built,” was asked by Jesus three times if he loved Him. Each time, Peter answered affirmatively, getting hurt that the Lord seemed to need that reassurance. What Jesus needed from Peter was a commitment that he would become a shepherd and feed His sheep. Jesus is not here on earth walking around now as He did with Peter. But He left a job for Peter, and for us, to do. We are to continue to feed His sheep. The baby lambs (new converts) need the most care, then the yearlings (a little more mature, but not grown yet) and finally we can let them wander and become shepherds to other sheep. We are called to be shepherds, following the example of Jesus and not leaving anyone to wander alone in the wilderness.
I like this analogy and how simple it seems now, but I honestly had not really thought about it before. Those who mentored me and helped to make me into the Christian I am today were shepherding me. I was a lost sheep, wandering in the wilderness of sin, before Verna chose to step out and lead me into the safety of the arms of the Good Shepherd. May each of us take this responsibility seriously and look for people who need to be led to the truth. And once we have found them, we cannot just hand them a Bible and walk away. We need to be there to answer questions, to study with them and to set them firmly on the right path to eternal life. Jesus commanded Peter to “feed His sheep.” Can we do any less?
Serial dater and travel blogger Jayna Scott lands a dream assignment in Bimini, Bahamas at Mario Delgado’s resort. But after she falls hard and fast for her host, she discovers his terrible secret. Her flight instinct sends her to the mountains of North Carolina on a trip with a Tampa church group, but Mario pursues her, determined to prove his actions were justified.
Private investigator Liam Bracken helps his best friend plan a surprise engagement in Beech Mountain to the woman he once liked. Now, the mysterious Jayna, the new addition to their group, tugs at his heart, but his instincts warn him she’s running from something. When Jayna emerges at the epicenter of his agency’s high-profile drug investigation, Liam prays he can save her—and guard his heart at the same time.
My Thoughts
Although this is the second book in a series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. This novel tells the faith journey and perilous adventures of travel blogger Jayna Scott. Traveling to the Bahamas, she gets unwittingly trapped into illegal activity there and has to depend on new friends from her Bible study group to help her out. The genre is cozy mystery with a firm faith foundation. The characters are relatable and realistic and the plot moves along at a good steady pace that is engaging and entertaining. I especially enjoyed how Jayna interacted with the Bible study group and really wanted to be a part of it even though she did not feel as though she really belonged. I also liked Liam Bracken’s willingness to be a hero for a young woman he barely knows but who touched his heart. The mystery is just complex enough to keep me on the edge of my seat at times as I cheered for the good guys to get there on time and for the bad guys to be thwarted. This is a feel-good and satisfying read, but readers should be warned that there are triggers like sexual and emotional abuse within the storyline. This is a Christian read with no graphic details or expletives, so I found it suitable for anyone able to read on this level. With a breathtaking setting and an engrossing story, this is one not to be missed for those who enjoy powerful stories with engrossing suspense. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author as part of her launch team. 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 CFR 16, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Christian fiction with intense suspense. Rated PG
About the Author
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell writes suspenseful fiction from a faith perspective for women and young adults. Her own suspense story involved waiting on God into her thirties to meet her husband, and she desires to keep embracing God’s plan for her life when it’s not what she expects. Kristen also teaches English online and enjoys being a podcast guest. Her young adult dystopian novels, The Revisionary and The Reactionary, both won the Selah for speculative fiction, and she has partnered with Mountain Brook Ink for her Christian romantic suspense series, beginning with Take My Hand (2022). Hold Your Breath, book two, releases November 2023. She also enjoys guest blogging opportunities for both The Write Conversation and the KHCB Network. Kristen lives in Florida with her husband and young son.
This was the first book that I have read by Kristen and I really loved it so much that I purchased the first book in the series and I’m enjoying it, too. What a talented faith-filled author! Don’t miss her newest book! The first book in the Crossroads Suspense series, just FYI. All of Kristen’s books are on her website that I listed under her photo. Please check them out!
Yesterday’s meeting was a true blessing for me! I got to meet a lot of new ladies and interact with them. So, that is my good report.
Today, in my devotional, I read the blessing that God told Moses and Aaron to speak over the people of Israel as they continued to travel to the Promised Land.
I am praying this promise over anyone who reads it today as well as over the people of Israel as they face a mighty and devious foe. Grace and peace from the Lord is a real blessing.
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 