When Temptation Comes

1 Corinthians 10:12-13
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

The rocks along the shore wore green algae like a coat. The waves washed over the slick surface and presented a tempting place to walk.

We sat on the boulders near the lighthouse and watched people meander as close to the water as they could. On a hot summer day, folks were tempted to let the cool water run over their feet and relieve the heat. Moms and Dads held the hands of their little ones or carried them on their hip. One misstep on the mossy rocks could result in injury. Yet, the water tempted.

In 1 Corinthians, the author wrote to the Corinthian church about temptation. They had been enticed by sins common to their times, much like the sins that tempt people now. As I watched the water slide over the moss-covered rock, and I thought about how slippery the surface must be, and how the allure of the cool water on the soft algae might feel—I pictured Satan whispering to come test the waters.

That’s how he works. He sets up an alluring situation, crooks his evil finger, and invites anyone he can fool to come to his side.

Be aware of the trickster, the one who invites people down the road of sin and rewards with heartache and sorrow. One step on those moss-covered rocks and down the person would go—inevitably injury would follow.

Corinthians doesn’t just warn against temptation, the author shares good news, the best news—God has His hand out to help me if or when I fall. He gives me a way out of sin and temptation. Through Jesus, God gives a fresh start, a new life, and the hope of heaven. That’s a reason to sing praise to God.

Through Jesus life, death, and resurrection, He gives everyone the opportunity to be forgiven and be with Him in heaven. His hand is reaching out to anyone who wants to grab on.

When temptation comes, seek Jesus.

 

Cozy Mystery Review: Off the Chain (Book 1-Gone to the Dogs series) by Jan Thompson

About the Book:

The Town of Brenham, Texas, Has Gone to the Dogs!
 
Curl up with your pup and sink into a delightful small-town mystery as riddles and rescues stack up in book one of a new cozy mystery series.

 
Marigold Evans’ first attempt at rescuing an abandoned pooch lands her in a drainage pipe in Brenham Texas. . .and almost in jail, until Parker Jenson comes to her rescue. Then a bad day only gets worse as the Lone Star Vet Clinic, where they both work, is vandalized and the list of suspects starts to climb. With the help of her fellow employees, Marigold sets out to simultaneously solve the crime, rehab the rescued dog, and help more dogs in crisis. But why would anyone continue to work against all their good efforts?

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this first book in Barbour Publishing's Gone to the Dogs series. Marigold Evans is a delightful character whose heart for furry four-legged creatures endears her to the reader. As she works as a vet tech, she dreams of owning her own dog rescue. Right after she saves her first pup, she and her coworkers find the vet clinic broken into and vandalized. As they try to find the culprit, Marigold discovers who has her back and who is out to stop her. If you enjoy a fun read with delightful characters, you'll want to read Off the Chain. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Defined by the Fruit

When I spoke at camp, I asked the daughters and moms to give examples of

how we incorporate the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives. 

One young girl reminded all of us 

how important it is, whether anyone is watching or not, to be kind.

Character, for believers, is defined by the Fruit of the Spirit.

Suspense Review: Fatal Forensic Investigation by Darlene L. Turner

Book Description:
Remembering a serial killer’s face…could be deadly

While interviewing the Coastline Strangler’s only surviving victim, forensic artist Scarlet Wells is attacked and left with amnesia. Now she’s his next mark and has no choice but to work with constable Jace Allen to unlock the criminal’s true identity trapped in her mind. Will they be able to recover the hidden memory and hunt down the killer before he strikes again?

My Thoughts:
If you enjoy fast paced, sit on the edge of your seat stories, you'll want to read Fatal Forensic Investigation. Yes, there is a serial killer and he's after the woman who he thinks can identify him, but she can't. She has lost her memory, including the memories she has from college of constable Jace Allen. As the two take on this madman, they find themselves attracted to each other, but more important, they discover a faith they thought they had lost. Turner weaves a wonderful spiritual thread through the story as these characters face insurmountable situations.  I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fruit not Fruits

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit isn’t fruits.

By the time you read this, I will have talked to a group of moms and daughters at Woodland Lakes Christian Camp. A while back, Amy, the director of Mother/Daughter camp asked me if I would put together a devotion to share about the fruit of the Spirit.

As I’ve searched for the words and examples to share, I remembered my realization that the “fruit” is not “fruits.” As a child I thought the word was plural, like there were nine different fruits standing on their own. As an adult, I realized I was wrong.

Now I see the fruit of the Spirit like an apple. When I purchase an apple at the grocery store or orchard, I have one whole piece of fruit in my hand. I bring it home and cut it into pieces. Is the apple multiple fruits now? No it’s still one apple, just with several slices.

The fruit of the Spirit is like the apple, one fruit with many pieces. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are all part of the same fruit. As a follower of Jesus, I need to nurture all aspects of the fruit of the Spirit. If I seek peace and joy, without kindness, my fruit spoils. If I try to be good and faithful, but lose my self-control, my fruit rots. God has given his children this amazing gift through the Holy Spirit, and I long to embrace all the fruit and make them a constant in my life.

God calls His children to live with all nine segments of fruit. He knows the world needs all of these and as Christians we are the ones to inject love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control into all aspects of our lives.

Take the challenge to actively live by the fruit of the Spirit and share God’s gift with the world.

The Timing of Our Lives

I love watching my flowers bloom throughout the spring and summer.

The perennials sprout and bud every year.

My first cone flower opened right on schedule.

God knows when each petal will unfold.

If He knows this about the flowers, how much more can we trust Him to know 

the timing for our lives?

 

Faith in the Fire

Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

The thermometer in the car screamed 102 degrees. 

In southwest Ohio, the temperatures are registering in the high nineties. We’ve had storms and electric out. My daughter’s family had no electric for almost twenty-four hours. So what did we do? We gathered at the pool and stayed cool. I am thankful we live in a place where I have the opportunity to swim with my kids and grands. When we left, Sara’s car registered 102.

In all of my almost 65 years, I’ve only had central air since we moved into the condo almost eight years ago. Up to then, I dealt with the heat in whatever way I could. Let’s just say, I’m not a summer person, especially in this heat. But I know as the seasons do, this will pass and before long cooler weather will grace Ohio.

During this oppressive heat, I’ve been reading the book of Daniel, and you can imagine my thoughts on the fiery furnace. Without reservation those brave young men, Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego, did not fear the heat. They put their lives and hearts in God’s hands. That’s called faith.

We have a lot of negatives going on in our country and in the world. I can imagine the Christians in Ukraine are holding on to their faith for dear life. I love this line in Daniel: “the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know...  we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” These men believed God would deliver them, but even if He didn’t, they continued to have faith in the God they served even if He didn’t save them. They trusted God with their lives and knew He held their future in His hands.

I wonder if I have the faith they did. Can I keep the faith regardless of my circumstances? I pray the answer is yes. I want faith like the men in Daniel. A faith without doubt. I pray God strengthens my faith as I continue on my life’s path.

Have faith, God will see you through.