Lessons from Hosea

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

Hosea is one of the most interesting books in the Bible since God tells Hosea, a prophet, to marry a woman who will be unfaithful and then to forgive her. It is a beautiful word picture of how much God puts up with us and forgives us, again and again. This morning in my devotional, some of the verses from Hosea jumped out at me and I want to share them with you today.

Like the rich and powerful in today’s world, Israel boasted of being “self made,” forgetting completely all that God had done for them. Aren’t we the same way? When things are going well for us, we tend to pat ourselves on the back and take all of the credit for all of the good things happening in our lives. May we never forget to give God all of the glory and praise!

Again, we tend to forget God when we are satisfied with our lives. Our pride takes over, we become self-sufficient and distance ourselves from God and the relationship with Him. May we never forget that the Lord is the one who provides for us and sustains us!

God is always willing to meet us more than halfway if we will just confess and return to Him. Too often, once we have turned our backs on God, we get further and further away from Him and forget all about His welcoming love and forgiveness. May we never forget that our Father in Heaven always has open arms to receive us!

We are all walking down the path of the Lord, the one that He has set before us to travel. For those of us who have established and kept our relationship with God, the path offers life, safety, security, restoration and peace. For the sinners, it is a path filled with traps into which they stumble and fall. God doesn’t want the sinners to fall for eternity, so my thought is that He is with them on the path just as He is with us because He is trying to get them to focus on Him and not on the path to what they would call success in life. May we stay on the right path in the right way, listening only to God’s directions and find ourselves walking steadily closer to eternity with Him!

Review of NOT YOUR SHOE SIZE by Jennifer Divita

On By vickleaIn Book Review1 Comment
Not Your Shoe Size: A Novel About Acting Your Age (or not!)

Not Your Shoe Size: A Novel About Acting Your Age by Jennifer DiVita

My rating: 5 of 5 stars (rated PG)


This book had me totally fooled at first as it started with the friendship between Julia and Colette when they were young girls. Thus, I assumed that it would be a book for young adults. Nope! Not so fast! The book progresses quickly through young adulthood, middle age, and ultimately old age. All of the stages of life are well represented and treated with humor as well as a sense of poignancy that was touching and sensitive. Colette is the playful one, the one who doesn’t like to follow rules and vows never to go into a nursing home. Julia is practical, works hard and follows her head instead of her heart. Both of them learn how to navigate the curves that life throws them and in doing so, they teach the reader to cherish life and all it may bring. The plot is multi-layered in that the two main characters are so different and each has a unique perspective on how to approach challenges. The book is remarkably eye-opening and brilliantly written with thought-provoking events in each character’s life. I really enjoyed the author’s wit and the way the characters were thoroughly developed. Both women were dynamic and relatable, but I’m Team Julia just because that’s the one with whom I identified the most. There were some stereotypes portrayed but nothing unexpected or surprising and for the most part, the details seemed authentic and heartfelt. This book is a sensitive exploration about friendship and growing old. It would make a wonderful book to add to your book club list because it is filled with topics that should be discussed openly and fearlessly, particularly as you age. The two women never lost their sense of self and courageously faced the future, no matter what happened to them. I applaud the author for tackling a difficult topic and making it fun to read. I laughed aloud during some parts, cried during others and enjoyed my visit with Colette and Julia. This is a memorable and compelling story that should be read and enjoyed by women everywhere, no matter which stage of life you find yourself in now.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author as a member 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 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”



View all my reviews

Releases on 8-14-23. Available for preorder now! Purchase Links:

https://bit.ly/3D7Jjfa (Barnes and Noble)

https://amzn.to/43h5fiA (Amazon)

Want to know more about the author? Check out her website:

Jennifer Divita

With gratitude to the author and to Tammy for inviting me to be on the launch team for this laugh-aloud and reflective book. I highly recommend this one for book clubs because it will definitely stimulate discussions!

Review of MURDER AT SUNSET ROCK by Debra Webb

On By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment
Murder at Sunset Rock

Murder at Sunset Rock by Debra Webb

My rating: 5 of 5 stars (I would rate this book PG due to content.)


The new suspense book by Debra Webb has everything that I love about suspense. It is fast-paced, filled with false trails and plenty of clues so I could keep guessing my way through the mystery. The main characters are dealing with a former romance gone wrong while they are also trying to solve the mystery of Olivia’s beloved grandfather Willy Ballard. Huck Monroe is a deputy detective assigned to the case, much to Olivia’s dismay since she has a past history with him. I enjoyed all of the twists in the mystery and the romance that was simmering between Olivia and Huck. My favorite thing was that I tried really hard to guess the villain but the author fooled me again with her masterful writing. The characters are well-developed and relatable and the plot is just complex enough to keep me thoroughly engaged. I really did not see that final twist coming and I loved it!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author as part of her Street 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 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”



View all my reviews

Releases tomorrow! Here are purchase links for you:

https://amzn.to/44ABc71 (Kindle)

https://amzn.to/44Yf4TH (AMZ, PB)

https://bit.ly/474rMly (Barnes and Noble)

https://apple.co/3Z375lx (Apple)

https://bit.ly/3OsszWs (Kobo)

https://bit.ly/46VyZ7H (Harlequin)

https://bit.ly/3Y2pRdm (Target)

https://bit.ly/4737JnF (Walmart)

If you want to know more about author Debra Webb, check out her website at:

Debra Webb

Small Troubles

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

Whenever we are in the middle of a storm, it seems so vast and scary that we are overwhelmed by it. But as we come out on the other side and look back, we note that it wasn’t so bad after all. Why is that? I think that in the middle of the storm, we are focused on the storm, but when we come out on the other side, we are focused on moving forward. I also think that God wants us to keep our focus on moving forward with Him no matter what storms life may bring.

The Bible says that our present troubles, or storms, are small and won’t last long. Our perspective makes them seem bigger and then we start feeling helpless. We are never without God as our refuge and if we see the storms as opportunities to grow closer to God and to become more mature as a Christian, then we can move on from the storm and into the peace and calm that God wants us to always have. My problem is that I focus so much on the storm and the small troubles that I can’t seem to keep my eyes on the Lord. Once again, I have been rebuked by the Lord for my shortsightedness. It’s like getting up and stumbling around without my glasses. I know I should reach out to the table next to me and put them on, but I figure I will only be a minute in the bathroom or wherever, so off I go. And then I stumble over something that my nearsighted vision did not see. May the Lord be ever near me and help me to see the world and the small troubles through His eyes, that I may learn the lessons He can teach me through the troubles and that I may use that wisdom to help others!

Books to Add to Your Shelf

On By vickleaIn Book PromoLeave a comment

I have been blessed lately to be on the launch teams for several new Christian fiction books that are releasing this week and next. I will be doing reviews for them but I wanted to put them on your radar so you can have them on their release dates.

This book is part of the Guardians Unleashed series by Jerusha Agen. She is a new-to-me author and this is the first book of hers that I have read. I am hooked! I went back and ordered the others in the series because I enjoyed this one so much.

To Purchase:

Unseen Danger

To Connect with the Author:

Jerusha Agen

COUNTDOWN is the fourth book in the series, but can also be read as a standalone. I have read all of the previous books as Lynette Eason is one of my favorite Christian authors. This one releases August 1, 2023 and is available now for preorders.

Purchase Links:

Baker Book House

Christian Book

Amazon

Audible

Connect with the author:

Lynette Eason

I hope that you will add these books to your “must read” shelf…they are outstanding examples of Christian fiction!

The Blessings in Revelation 19

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

In our Sunday school class, we have been doing a three month study of the Book of Revelation. We made our way through the mazes of symbolism that is at times hard to comprehend, the visions of the bowls, seals and trumpets and finally arrived last week at the wedding of the bride. Our teacher, Dr. Gary Johnson (via video presentations), explained our the wedding is comparable to the events leading up to and the actual wedding in a Jewish ceremony. I cannot explain it all very well myself but there are three stages. Researching online, I found more than three stages, but here is what Dr. Johnson shared that really blessed me. Having looked up information online, I realize that this is simplistic and may not be totally accurate. (My apologies to my friend David Ettinger for anything I get wrong here. David, please feel free to chime in with truth and your own knowledge!)

The “Kiddushin” is the legal arrangement for two to marry. It is a contract that the parents may make long before the children even know each other. According to Dr. Johnson, God made a contract to marry the bride to Jesus as far back as Genesis 3:15. God had a plan and the entire Bible is His working His plan to fulfillment, beginning all the way back in Genesis.

The next part, the part that “blessed my socks off” is called the “Mohar.” This is like a dowry or a bride price that the groom pays in order to secure the bride for his own. Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross!

Finally, there is the “Huppah” (or “Chuppah” in some sources). This is when the bridegroom goes to the bride to bring her to his home. She doesn’t know when he is coming. Only the Father of the groom knows this and sends his son to get his bride and bring her to her new home with him. Following that is the wedding supper, a great feast to celebrate the long-awaited marriage. Jesus is coming back for His bride. Hallelujah!

If you want to read more about these traditions and fill in some blanks that I have omitted because of lack of time and knowledge, check out this website: Christian Truth Center

Finally, my devotional this morning had a verse that reminded me of last week’s lesson at church and made me want to try to share it with you all with the hope that you, too, would be blessed by God’s plan, His dowry price and the invitation to the wedding supper preceded by Jesus’s return for His bride.

God is faithful and is always working to bring us closer to Him. May we be found faithful when He returns for us!

Is God Silent?

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

The answer to my question is a resounding “no”! But sometimes, in the light of the daily headlines and the evil we see all around us, I wonder why God is holding back His judgment. Then He speaks quietly into my heart that He is watching and waiting for more to turn to Him.

Habakkuk was a very bold prayer warrior, not hesitating to ask God if he is being silent and knowing that God cannot stand the sight of evil. I have to wonder what Habakkuk would say about the evil that is rampant today? Is one generation’s evil worse than another’s? I think not. Evil is evil. Sin is sin. And God will not just watch us self-destruct forever. He has sent us as His messengers to warn the world of the judgment to come. They scoff and do not seem to listen, but God works on hearts. That is the thing…But, God…He is not winking or silent. He is pure and holy and will not withhold His righteous judgment forever. Man sins and laughs in God’s face. God doesn’t strut around and say, “Gotcha.” I think He is sad for our world and its desperate trust in the worldly powers. I know that I am sad each time I read a new headline glorifying sin. God, who sent His Only Son into the world to save us, must be heartbroken over mankind’s choices. But, He is not silent. He is working in the background to draw people to Him so that as many as possible may be saved before His wrath begins. But God…