Seek Ways to Serve God

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App4 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/11667/day/10

Serve while you grow and you end up growing more. I found in my life as a teacher in various states teaching various subjects that nowhere did I grow more in my knowledge and dependence on God than when I was told I would be teaching Latin I in high school. I am trained to teach Spanish and history, but the administrators needed a Latin teacher and said that since I had a background in Spanish (a Romance language) I would do fine. Let me tell you, I studied that subject every night, barely staying ahead of the students. The Latin teacher who was there to help me for about a month left to get knee surgery, had complications and was out for most of the year. So, there was me and a substitute who knew no Latin or any language at all. I did have one human resource, a teacher named David from another school who would answer all of my questions. (I kept a running list.) I also called on God over and over again to help me to understand and to remember the conjugations, declensions and vocabulary that were all totally new to me. My six week class of introductory Latin in high school that I took to help with my SAT scores was not terribly helpful, but David was and God calmed my spirit. I learned by doing. I taught and I learned.

Sometimes, we are called to step outside of our comfort zone and just do what God is calling us to do. This week I have been at my sister’s house in NC. I would much rather be in my warm home in VA, preparing for a visit from my son and his family. She is not especially pleasant to be around since she is not a Christian, wants little or nothing to do with God and seems to have developed a bitter spirit about Him since she is going blind. I have helped all that I can. I have prepared meals, cleaned, ministered to her needs so she doesn’t have to struggle to get up. I have tried to show her that Christians are not sanctimonious and judgmental but loving and kind. Has this been a great visit for me? Not according to earthly standards, but I have been doing what God sent me here to do. I have served. I am not trying to toot my horn or get pats on the back. I am just saying that someone, somewhere can use your gifts, talents and ministry of serving. You just have to find where and how to do it. You will never know true fulfillment here on earth until you are following Jesus’s example and serving, even when the people you serve don’t seem to see or appreciate what you do. God sees and He is smiling at you because you are looking more like His beloved Son every day that you serve others.

Enthusiastic and Boiling Over

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App3 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/11667/day/9

You know when a pot is boiling over, it affects the area around it. The stove eye and the surface of the stove get wet, sometimes with the sticky stuff in the pot. It is evident that the pot has boiled over because you can see it. If we are “boiling over” for the Lord, it should be plain for others to see.

The other truth I got from this devotional this morning is the meaning of enthusiasm. In Greek, it comes from en (in) and Theos (God). We can be enthusiastic about God all the time if we remain “in God.” When I am visiting my children, I am all about spending time with the family there, playing with the grandchildren, talking to the adults, sharing laughter and fun. When I am with God, which should be all the time, I need to be “all in,” dedicated to spending time with Him and enjoying my time with the Lord in fellowship. God is only a prayer away, a whisper, a look up and a deep breath in. I pray for more enthusiasm in my life for the things of God and less concern about what is going on around me. I hope you will join me in that quest.

Keep the Steam Going

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/11667/day/8

I confess that I need to light the fire within me and keep going strong for God. I do remember when I was a new Christian and nothing could stop me from telling others about my newfound faith. These days, I find myself thinking of the repercussions of sharing with others before I actually even open my mouth. May God give me the boldness and passion that I once had because the people of the world are dying without a Savior and my silence may have eternal consequences for them.

Admitting Weakness Brings Strength

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

It is never easy to admit that you need help, that you can’t do it alone. But I have found when I stop struggling by myself and just honestly tell God that I cannot do it alone, He shows up on my behalf and I am stronger than I thought I could be. In the natural world, that makes no sense, but in God’s world, it makes perfect sense. He wants us to have a relationship with Him and what better way to have a relationship than to admit to God that I am weak and He is the One who makes me strong in the battles of life? The song I sing to my grandchildren, that old favorite of parents and grandparents everywhere, “Jesus Loves Me,” includes the spiritual truth of God being strong for us. If we are independently going about thinking we can do everything without God, He has no reason to show up for us. It is when we call on His Name and admit out dependence on Him, it is then that our battles are won and our weakness flees. We cannot be dependent on God and totally independent at the same time. We have to let go of our pride and turn to the Almighty God, the Creator who made us, the One who knows all of our needs before we call on Him, and confess that we cannot make it one more day on the battlefield of life without His help. Then, we gain a valuable lesson and the victory that we crave over the enemies that assail us. We call and He answers, not because of what we have done or who we are, but because of Who He is and all that He has already sacrificed for us that we might know Him. Don’t be like the stubborn toddler who loudly proclaims, “DO IT MYSELF!” Lean into God and let Him know that you are counting on Him to help you out, and He will.

Help for the Weak

Admitting weakness isn’t the trendiest thing to do in today’s culture. But if you’ve found yourself feeling weary, overwhelmed, or unsure of yourself, there’s good news:

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

For those of us in Christ, we’re not in this alone. God’s Spirit is working in us and through us to accomplish His purposes—even when we don’t see it or feel it. He’s bringing things to mind, putting people in our path, and stirring up our hearts with that which matters to Him.

So the pressure to do it all, have it all, and be it all is off! You don’t have to rely on yourself. You don’t have to have it all together. You don’t have to be the one to keep the world from falling apart—that’s God’s job.

You don’t have to be confident in yourself to be confident in your God.

God’s Spirit helps you to pray. God’s Spirit strengthens your heart. God’s Spirit intercedes for you when you’re lacking the words.

God’s Word says that His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), and it’s actually in our weakness that He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

You have a Helper who meets you in your vulnerability, offers you His strength, and refuses to leave you stranded or scrambling on your own. You can trust Him to help you, to guide you, and to offer you His strength when you are weak.

Review of THE TANGLED TALE OF THE WOOLGATHERING CASTOFFS by Sharon J. Mondragón

On By vickleaIn Book Review2 Comments

ABOUT THE BOOK

ISBN-13:9780825448201

Publisher:Kregel Publications

Publication date:01/23/2024

Pages:288

SYNOPSIS

A humorous, heartwarming tale of love, loss, and the power of community
Fair Meadows Retirement Community might as well be a country club for most of the retirees enjoying the pool, golf course, and book clubs. But for the caregivers whose family members reside upstairs in the special Memory Care Unit, vacation is over.
Comforting these caregivers is exactly why the Woolgatherers group has formed. They make prayer shawls to support those affected by the heartbreaking reality of not being recognized by a loved one-people like Sam Talbot, who has been barely existing since his wife moved into Memory Care. He finds that his life has lost all color and meaning without her.
That’s something the Woolgatherers can’t bear to see. Flirtatious Jenny Alderman, cranky crocheter Edna O’Brian, kind Rose Harker, and the rest of the prayer shawl group weave him into the circle. Sam has no idea how he got tangled up with them, and he’s no good at knitting. But when one member talks him into taking up his wife’s old crochet hooks, he discovers that this one small gesture might just have the power to heal his life—or even save it.
Full of Sharon Mondragon’s characteristic humor and heart, this book wrestles with the loneliness of being the forgotten spouse of a dementia patient, moving past the fear that the spouses often face into the love and compassion that can make all the difference.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

For information about the author, please go to her website at https://sharonjmondragon.com/about/

My Thoughts

This novel is so much more than a great and entertaining story! It is a primer on how to really see people and how to touch the lives of others with prayer and prayer shawls. The plot is about the Woolgathering Castoffs who meet twice a week at their nursing home in order to knit or crochet their projects together. Each project is a prayer shawl for a person whose live has been affected by “Old-Timer’s Disease.” As the ladies and one gentleman gather together, they share their expertise with the craft and their life experiences with one another as well as with visitors who come to see their loved ones. The story was heartbreaking at times as some of the characters were rebuffed by their loved ones who had no memory of them at all. But is was also filled with hope as the group joined forces to help those feeling rejected and invisible. I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought possible since I had never read a book by this author before. This is an extraordinary look at the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s and the special love it takes to be committed to the person suffering from this disease. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, all of whom were portrayed realistically with flaws and many of whom needed to get in touch with God again. Although it is hard to choose just one, I think my favorite character was Edna, a woman who is a resident with a heart full of hurt who holds her wounds tightly tucked inside but who faithfully attends the meetings and teaches others to crochet. The plot moved along at the perfect pace for the story being told, one of redemption and God’s love as well as the love and forgiveness of others, but especially one of hope in what seems like hopeless circumstances. This novel rates as one of the best and most faith-filled books I have ever read and its simple truths and lovingkindness of the characters will long stay with me as a practice we could all exhibit more often. The author will be added to my list of “must read” authors as the lessons I learned from this book are priceless and the memories of the wonderful character development amazed me.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this boo 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.”

Christian Fiction, Highly Recommend for All Readers

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Christian Book

More about the Series

This is the second book in the Purls and Prayers Series. The first book, if you like to read books in order, is pictured below along with the purchase link. Enjoy!

Amazon

Review of THE MISSING WITNESS by Allison Brennan

On By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Missing Witness : A Quinn & Costa Novel Allison Brennan
Series: A Quinn & Costa Thriller (#5)
On Sale Date: January 23, 2024 9780778369653
Hardcover
$30.00 USD
Fiction / Thrillers / Crime 416 pages

When a key witness goes missing, Quinn & Costa must find her before a killer silences her for good…
Detective Kara Quinn is back in Los Angeles to testify against a notorious human trafficker, finally moving past the case that upended her life. But when the accused is shot in broad daylight, the chaotic scene of the crime turns up few reliable bystanders. And one witness—a whistleblower who might be the key to everything—has disappeared.
After another person close to the case is killed, it’s clear that anyone who knows too much is in danger, and tracking down the witness becomes a matter of life-and-death. But as explosive secrets surface within the LAPD and FBI, Kara questions everything she thought she knew about the case, her colleagues and the life she left behind months ago.
Now with FBI special agent Matt Costa’s help, she must race to find the missing witness and get to the bottom of the avalanche of conspiracies that has rocked LA to its core…before it’s too late.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author of over forty novels, including The Sorority Murder. She lives in Arizona with her husband, five kids and assorted pets. The Missing Witness is the fifth thriller in the new Quinn & Costa series.
Social Links:
Author Website: https://www.allisonbrennan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllisonBrennan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Allison_Brennan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abwrites/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52527.Allison_Brennan

My Thoughts

The impeccable and detailed research drew me into the story and the mesmerizing plot kept me there. The action was non-stop as the MRT returns to Kara Quinn’s old stomping grounds to finally get justice for Kara. They end up with more of a problem than they bargained for, with corruption rampant in city hall, the police department and the FBI. The plight of the homeless as presented by the author was heartbreaking and when she added to their sad situation with graft and the presence of drugs, it was made very realistic and created a compelling story. Kara thinks that she will be finally free of Chen and be able to return to LAPD but what she discovers about her city disturbs her deeply. Secrets have been kept from her from people she trusted and now she just wants to find the truth. Her team is there to support her and to help ferret out the dark and twisted truth of a city that has lost its moral compass as far as the homeless are concerned. With the murder of a DA and an FBI agent, the MRT has their hands full trying to follow the clues and find out who is responsible for the city’s corruption and the murders. This was a breathtakingly complex book, introducing new and relatable characters. I really liked getting to know FBI agent Sloan as well as computer geek Violet. Both were expertly crafted to fit into the story well and to add depth to a propulsive thriller. This is an incredibly powerful story with nail-biting suspense and explosive complications as Kara is suspected of the unthinkable and has to depend on her team’s support to find the truth. With a brilliantly written plot that unravels at just the right pace and characters that are intriguingly unique and dynamic, this book is a winner for me in every aspect. It hit just the right tone, with eye-opening details and an intense need to follow the clues and get the mysteries solved before someone else dies. Part thriller, part mystery and all edgy suspense, this is a book not to be missed by fans of Allison Brennan. Although it is part of a series, it can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone and I highly recommend this captivating and insightful novel.
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 for sensitive content

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Apple Books

The Poisoned Pen Bookstore

Bookshop

Books-a-Million

Link to an article by the author about the story:

Murder She Writes

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA for the ARC of this engaging book! Loved it and hated for it to end!

Facing Trouble Fearlessly

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/11667/day/6

I have not been as fearless as Paul, but I am improving, learning to take my troubles to God before spouting them off to the world and getting others who are non-believers wondering what happened to my faith. First, take it to God. Then, wait expectantly for Him to do what God does…He answers in His own unique way and in His own time. Like Paul, I am totally convinced that God does more than we can imagine if we just trust and wait.

A Sad Update

On By vickleaIn Family and Friends9 Comments

I write this with a heavy heart to let all of you prayer warriors know that late yesterday afternoon, Mitch went home to be with the Lord. He was surrounded by his family and friends, along with his pastor. There are no words to describe the sadness I feel for his wife Lisa and their two, almost three, children. Please continue to keep the family in your prayers. One of Mitch’s friends posted this update online:

As the family grieves, I am hopeful that there is rejoicing in heaven.

Blog + Review Tour: Their Inseparable Bond by Jill Weatherholt

On By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Promo, Book Review6 Comments

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Their Inseparable Bond by Jill Weatherholt, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Their Inseparable Bond
Series: K-9 Companions
Author: Jill Weatherholt
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: January 23, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
They’re a mismatched family… But their hearts line up just right
Training service dogs is single dad Jake Beckett’s calling. He’s determined to train rambunctious puppy Callie to help his ailing friend Myrna live independently with her growing blindness. Myrna’s granddaughter, Olivia Hart, isn’t easily convinced, but Jake, his twins and Callie are an incredibly persuasive team. If Olivia agrees to give Callie a chance, will working with Jake risk her lifelong dreams?
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.


PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jill Weatherholt is an author of sweet, emotional, small-town romance novels that guarantee a happy ending.
She’s sold over half a dozen sweet romance short stories to Woman’s World Magazine.
Raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., she now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, but her heart belongs to Virginia. She holds a degree in Psychology from George Mason University and Paralegal Studies Certification from Duke University.
She shares her life with her real-life hero and number one supporter. Their relationship grew on the golf course, and now they have one in their backyard.
Jill believes in enjoying every moment of this journey because God has everything under control.
Connect with Jill by visiting jillweatherholt.com to follow her on social media and sign up for

My Thoughts

This is a sweet and clean love story of two people who just can’t seem to mesh since their lives are so totally different and separated by distance. Dr. Olivia Hart visits her grandmother Myrna, with the intention of taking Myrna to Miami to live with her since her grandmother’s eyesight is failing. Jake Beckett, a service dog trainer and a single father of twins, has a different plan for Myrna. He wants to train rambunctious puppy Callie to help her stay in her home in the small folksy tale of Bluebell, Colorado. The characters are very realistic, expressing the same kinds of feelings I would have in the same situations. The progression of the romance was inviting and sparkling with a growing attraction between not only Jake and Olivia but also between Olivia and the twins and Olivia and Callie. I really enjoyed getting to know Kayla and Kyle, the motherless twins who are vulnerable and intelligent and who also want to be accepted by their peers. I liked the comfortable setting in Myrna’s home and could almost smell her cookies baking. This is a warm romance with well-developed and lovable characters that totally appealed to my need to read a light, quick romance that completely engrossed me in its story.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Just Read. 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.”

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will win a print copy of Their Inseparable Bond and a $25 gift card.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 22, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 29, 2024. Winner 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.


Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!