He Made Summer and Winter

I want to challenge you in this new year of 2023 

to slow down and observe God's creation.

He's given us a beautiful natural world as a resource, 

but also as a reminder of His magnificence and power.

Whatever the season, appreciate His creation.

 

Suspense Fiction Review: Critical Threat (Extreme Measures Book #3) by Lynette Eason

What it’s About:

FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley tracks serial killers, using her skills as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst to get dangerous people off the street and safely behind bars. But prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows that just because a killer is incarcerated doesn't mean they're not a threat. His own father, Peter, is a serial killer--in prison but certainly not out of Sam's life, as much as he wishes he was.

When bodies start showing up with Peter's MO, Sam and Grace are both called in to consult. They've met before--and though Grace thought they'd made a real connection, Sam ghosted her. They'll have to get past the awkwardness and mistrust to solve this case--especially because it's about to get personal.

My Thoughts:

If you’re a fan of shows like Criminal Minds you’ll like this book. I’m not a fan of those types of shows, I prefer a little milder show like NCIS, but I will say this story kept me reading. Grace is a tough lady determined to find a serial killer. Sam, whose dad is a serial killer is right on her heals trying to protect her. Eason’s characters have depth and insight as they chase down the evil man who is taking lives. She also layers in how such horrific events affect so many. If you enjoy thriller suspense, you’ll want to read book three of the Extreme Measures series.  I received a free copy of the book with no expectations. The opinions here are mine.

Happy New Year!

Learn to be Content

Philippians 4:11
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

You are your words.

As I tiptoe into 2023 and leave behind a year that tugged on my heart and left me with empty seats at the table, I’ve asked God to lay a word for the year on my heart. For years, I’ve considered 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 my life verse. The one I study to discern how to live my life. Of course, I embrace all the Bible says, but these verses resonate with me.

As I prayed and read Bible verses in the hope God would help me choose a word, the one that caught my attention was “content.” A tall order in this world is to be satisfied with what I have and how I live. In a Bible study of the word content, the leader said, “contentment is a spiritual principle of dependence on the Lord rather than on human help or self.” As I read those words, I read my life verse again. The last phrase “so that you will not be dependent on anybody” struck me as contrary to contentment until I understood, our contentment doesn’t depend on us taking care of ourselves, instead we trust God to provide. In that, I am satisfied with His plan for my life.

The Apostle Paul spoke of contentment in Philippians. He learned to be content even though he lived a life of difficulties. In prison, on the streets, in homes where he was well taken care of, and still he chose to be content and depend on God.

My prayer this year is to be content in my circumstances and trust God to see me through. No doubt, I'll need to keep the word content in front of me and remind myself daily of God's care.

What word will you carry through the year? 

resource:https://dacc.edu/assets/pdfs/PCM/workbook.pdf 

Faith

Jesus was born in a humble manger to a young woman who trusted God.

When I think of the miracle of Christmas, 

my faith grows and my love for Jesus increases.

I'm thankful Mary loved God and trusted His plan.

 

Merry Christmas!

 

The Light Came Down

1 John 1:5-7
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Be the light or look for the light.

Tim and I turn the Christmas music on in the car and cruise through a few neighborhoods to view Christmas lights. We have a few favorites we hope to see every year, and we’re pleased when a few pop up we haven’t encountered before. On a street new to us we saw a sign pointing people to a display. When you see a sign, that usually means we will come upon a home where someone has taken the extra steps to create a light show. Sure enough, we turned the corner and oh my, the lights shone.

The house, covered in strands hanging from roof to foundation set the stage for the many lighted blow-ups in the yard. I have to say, the folks who set up this display had organized it and made it attractive and fun. We were drawn to the light.

John tells me that God is the light and anyone who loves God and follows Him will be a light in the world. I see this two ways, we either are the light, because we choose to follow Jesus or we need the light of Jesus’ love. There was a time when I chased the light, and I thank God He offered me grace and hope. I pray now I am a light in the darkness of this world. My hope is, if you need the light of Jesus, you embrace it this Christmas. 

The light Jesus brought to the world, coming to us as a baby and growing into the teacher and Savior shines rays of hope.

Light was my word for 2022. I’ve clung to Jesus’ light and shared it as I followed Him.

Merry Christmas!