Waking Hours

I just finished an awesome book! Waking Hours, written by New York Times Best Selling Author Lis Wiehl with Pete Nelson. I received this book as an early release from booksneeze... and although I finished it 3 days ago I had to wait to tell you have much I enjoyed this book!

Waking Hours is the first book in the East Salem trilogy. Thank goodness there will be more from where this came from! This book is different then any fiction that I have ever read. I love Christian Fiction... and I love your "feel good" stories... I don't mind suspense, a little drama, humor, and a little romance. This story brings in all that and throws in some supernatural as well. I couldn't put this book down! When I wasn't reading it, I would catch myself thinking about what was going to happen next. Lis Wiehl did a great job developing the characters and bringing them to life. This story transitions well, going from character to character keeping you interested. One of my favorite things about this book is the banter and humor between the two lead characters, forensic psychiatrist Dani Harris and former NFL linebacker Tommy Gunderson... I could see a movie made from this book. The only down side, this book leaves you hanging... and I don't know when the next in the series comes out! I absolutely would recommend this book to friends/ anyone... I already have!


Book Description

Welcome to East Salem: A deceptively sleepy town where ancient supernatural forces are being awakened.

A high-school girl is found murdered in a park in Westchester County, New York. The shocking manner of her death confounds the town and intrigues forensic psychiatrist Dani Harris, who is determined to unravel the mystery. All the suspects are teenagers who were at a party with the girl—yet no one remembers what happened. Could one of them be a vicious killer? Or is something more sinister afoot—something tied to an ancient evil?

But it's not just Dani’s waking hours that challenge her. Each night, her eyes open at 2:13 due to troubling dreams—dreams filled with blood, water, and destruction. Is it a clue—or a sign?

Across town, former NFL linebacker Tommy Gunderson finds his security system has been breached by an elderly woman who attacks him with preternatural strength. Before he can process the attack, someone close to him is implicated in the high-school girl's murder. He agrees to help—and finds himself working with Dani, the only girl who could resist his charms when they were in high school.

It will take astute analysis and forensic skills to solve the crime. But Dani and Tommy suspect there's more to the mystery than murder, more to their growing friendship than chance . . . and more to the evil they're facing than a mere human killer.


I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Life Everlasting by Robert Whitlow

I just finished the book Life Everlasting , which is the second book in Santee Series. I haven't read the first book in this series, Life Support, but it wasn't hard to jump in and read the second. I do feel like I am missing the back ground of some of the characters without reading the first though...


Book Description

Though Alexia's client's life no longer hangs in the balance, eternal questions linger.

The music stopped, the room emptied, and Baxter Richardson opened his eyes for the first time in months. He should have died from his involuntary plunge off a cliff. But he's alive, and mortal danger remains. Familiar enemies stalk him. New ones hover close at hand.

Meanwhile, haunted by accusing apparitions and the tightening dragnet of criminal investigation, Baxter's wife, Rena, is losing her patience. And quite possibly her mind.

Caught in the middle of it all is Alexia Lindale, a lawyer forced to find her way through deceptive alliances, uncertain romances, and courtroom intrigue. It's a struggle of life, death . . . and life everlasting.


The story starts with Baxter Richardson in a coma from an involuntary fall off a cliff. His wife wants him dead to protect her secrets. His brother wants him dead so he can have more control of the family business. This is a family filled with greed!

Rene, Baxter's wife seems to be losing her mind. Baxter's brother is playing a game with her and her lawyer, Alexia Lindale... but neither one know it.

Then you have Alexia's friend, Ted Morgan, who is a classically trained pianist. Ted is a Music Minister, but God has given him a gift. God uses Ted and his gift of playing the piano to slowly bring Baxter back from his coma.

As Baxter grows stronger, the more endangered he becomes, but there is not just danger for him...


I did enjoy this book. Although, I do wish I could have read Life Support first. This book is well written and flows nicely... I honestly couldn't put it down. This story is filled with God's power and how God can use anything, like a piano, or anyone, even a family filled with greed, to glorify His name... and mold people into what He has called them to be.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Spring for Susannah

My latest read was a Christian Fiction Novel by Catherine Richmond. Spring for Susannah is Catherine Richmond's first novel and I have to say I enjoyed it. This is a classic Christian Romance story about finding love and of course finding a relationship with God.

Susannah has lost everything... including her parents. She resigns herself to the only option she feels she has and becomes a mail-order bride. She agrees to become the wife of a farmer, her pastors brother, in the Dakota Territory.

Susannah is a quite and reserved women who has never learned to show affection to anyone... let alone a man. Her new husband, Jesse, is as wild as the land and gives Susannah more love and patience them she feels she deserves. He slowly chips away that wall Susannah is hiding behind.

I have to admit... this story line would not have caught my interest if I were to just walk into a book store to buy a Christian Fiction novel. I have never really got into the western frontier books. This novel in not for children and may be best kept for married women. It does contain sexual content, which is clean and within the context of marriage. This book also goes into the struggles in communication in a marriage, miscarriage... and abuse.
It was an inspiring story... she learns to really trust. She learns to trust her husband and most of all she learns to trust God.

I enjoyed this story... read it in three days. I am glad I came across it though the Booksneeze program.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Part-Time Vegan cookbook

My latest Booksneeze read was a cookbook... a Vegan cookbook. I chose this book to read for a couple reasons... 1.) I wanted something different to read... 2.) I love to cook... and 3.) I assumed there would be some great veggie recipes that my son would like, he is allergic to wheat... and I am always looking for a way to get healthier foods in him.

Well, it was a decent book. I want to stress the fact that my family is NOT Vegan. We like our chicken and beef! (we don't eat pork though.) I do have a typical kid who isn't crazy about Vegetables... He likes salad... and when I say salad I mean lettuce.. with cheese and dressing! lol. He likes cucumbers, bell peppers (sometimes), carrots (if there is Ranch dressing), fresh spinach (I know shocking!), and corn if it is still on the cob. So, if I can hide it... and he doesn't know it's there... then GREAT! I chose this book really hoping there would be some great veggie recipes... and well... there wasn't really anything in there he would eat. It is more adult recipes then kid friendly recipes.

I will say, I have my fair share of cookbooks... and I like the works with a cookbook...This book was laid out nicely. The author explains what Veganism is in the first chapter... and then breaks the rest of the book down into... Dips and Appetizers, Breakfasts, Salad Dressings, Salads, Soups, Vegetable Dishes, Rice Dishes, Pasta Dishes, Grains, Tofu, Seitan, TVP, and Tempeh... and the final few chapters are complete menu ideas for Dinners. I liked how the author included explanations of what things were on the bottom of pages. This book didn't have the things I look for most in a cookbook. When I say I look for the works in a cookbook... I want the serving size, fat and calories, and I want PICTURES!

All in all... I hate to say it but I will probably never use this cookbook... it will get put up on a shelf and collect dust.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Heart of Ice - A Triple Threat Novel

My most resent book to review through Booksneeze is Heart of Ice , A Triple Threat Novel book #3, by Lis Wiehl with April Henry.

It's labeled as "A fast-paced thriller" by Deborah Sinclair, editor in chief, Book of the Month Club and The Stephen King Library.

The story follows the three main characters from previous Triple Threat Novels, Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce, FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, and crime reporter Cassidy Shaw. You see into the personal life of each character, into their friendships with one another... and then of course into a series of crimes that at first glance don't seem related.

Elizabeth Avery is a beautiful women who is a master at fooling everyone... lying is second nature to her. She is a master at manipulating people, and even gets some to do the unthinkable... murder. Elizabeth has no plans on getting caught- not when she is having fun getting what she wants playing "The Game."

The Triple Threat team knows they are dealing with a dangerous sociopath and cold-blooded murderer. What they don't know is that they are already on a first-name basis with the killer.


I enjoyed reading this book, although I wish I would have read the first two books first. The writer does do a good job explaining each character and you don't feel like you are jumping into the middle of a series. The book reads well and does keep you interested. The writer includes many 'deep' topics we see on a daily basis... personal insecurities, trust and fears... as well as lose of a child, breast cancer, addictions, and various crimes. It is labeled as Christian Fiction, but it isn't heavily religious at all. One of the main characters is a christian... and one questions whether there is a God when she is faced with death. I expected more as far as that is concerned. All in All... I enjoyed the book!


I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Hillsong LIVE: "Like Incense / Sometimes By Step" featuring Brooke Frase...

[Verse 1]
May my prayer like incense rise before You
The lifting of my hands as sacrifice
Oh Lord Jesus turn Your eyes upon me
For I know there is mercy in Your sight

Your statutes are my heritage forever
My heart is set on keeping Your decrees
Please still my anxious urge toward rebellion
Let Love keep my will upon its knees

[Chorus]
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You

[Verse 2]
To all creation I can see a limit
But Your commands are boundless and have none
So Your Word is my joy and meditation
From the rising to the setting of the sun

All Your ways are loving and are faithful
The road is narrow but Your burden light
Because You gladly lean to lead the humble
I shall gladly kneel to leave my pride

[Chorus]

[Selah]
To all creation I can see a limit
But Your commands are boundless and have none
So Your Word is my joy and meditation
From the rising to the setting of the sun

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
I will seek You in the morning
I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

Hillsong United Forever Reign with lyrics

Hillsong Live - Forever Reign

The Shelter of God's Promises

I just finished a fabulous book by well known speaker and author Sheila Walsh. In her latest book, The Shelter of God's Promises, Sheila Walsh shares with us 10 Biblical Promises that our Heavenly Father has made to us. Each promise is dug into in their own chapter, these promises include...

Provision/I Don't Have Enough: And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19
Our Heavenly Father knows our needs... big or small... and He will meet those needs.
The one thing that really stuck out to me in this chapter, that I have read several times is when Sheila states... "When we come to the end of ourselves, Jesus, our Cleft in the Rock, calls. Come away with Me." We all go through those times when we are just done... we are worn out... and I can picture God just saying, "It's alright, just trust Me, rest in Me... I got your back. I know what you need."

Peace/I'm Afraid and Feel Alone: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. John 14:27
I am not one who likes the fast and crazy life style. I get stressed when things are chaotic. I love it when things are peaceful. In this chapter, Sheila talks about when Jesus calms the storm. He tells the waves "Quiet, Be still." I have felt Him tell my spirit that same thing at times. It is an amazing feeling when God calms the storms going on inside of us. We can have full peace in the midst of hectic times knowing that God is in complete control.

Confidence/I Can't See God's Plan in This Pain: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28
I will say, I got something out of every chapter in this book. This chapter spoke to me the most though. Maybe it's because I have had so much take place this last year... big things that have changed my life. I knew this promise, it is one of those verses I learned as a child. He does have a reason for allowing things to happen. God uses those rough and trying times in our lives to glorify Himself. We can have full confidence that God can use the worst of circumstances in our lives for good. He uses them to grow us closer to Him and to grow us into the person He has called us to be. We may not see why He is allowing these trails in our lives.
I think the hardest thing to get past is when something is done to us by someone, and it seems as if they don't have any consequence for what they have done. Not only that, but we don't understand the reason God is allowing it to happen. I do believe that God uses circumstances like that to teach us patience, trust, mercy, understanding and forgiveness. We need to be patient and know that we will know the 'why' to what is happening, it won't happen in our timing though. We need to be trusting and understand that God does have a reason for that trial and know that He is working. It might appear that the other person is prospering and having no consequences... but God sees the big picture. We see so little and know so little. We don't know the hearts of others, but God does. He'll work things out. In the mean time... we need to let God work in our hearts. Through His strength we can show mercy and understanding... and forgive. This is one of those situations where we can't do it on our own... we have to look to God and rely on Him to help us do the right thing. We have a choice to either allow hurt, sin and ourselves to rule us... or we can look to our Heavenly Father and let Him rule our life.

"In God's hands even the things that have broken us can be used by Him to make us whole again." pg. 70 Sheila Walsh

"To the child of God, there is no accident. He travels an appointed way." A.W. Tozer

Do we have confidence that God is using every bump and turn in the road to lead us back to Him and His promises?

Love/I Don't Believe That Anyone Could Really Love Me: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39
This chapter shows us that God will love us no matter what. Some question, how can God love someone who turns to Him on their death bed as much as He loves that person who has loved and served Him all their lives? We are looking at love as being conditional... God doesn't. We are relating God's love to ...our human love. God's love isn't conditional, it isn't earned, and it's bigger then we could every fully understand. Non of us deserve it, but He gives it freely to everyone who wants Him.

He loves us for keeps and tells us: I belong to you, and you belong to Me... forever! pg.80

Grace/I Have Failed: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. -2 Corinthians 12:19
We all have bad days... days that we mess up, days that we lack faith, moments we sin. This chapter talks about how we are loved the same on the days when we feel we've done a good job as on the days when we know we've blown it. This is grace. Where we mess up, He mends it. Where we are weak, He is strong. Where we struggle with imperfections, He rushes in to touch us and lovingly shows us the way He sees us and calls us to be. He patiently listens to our doubts and fears and proclaims, I love you just the same! God's grace is made perfect in our weaknesses... this is the great ironies of our faith. When we are completely worn out, we have nothing left to give, and we fall flat on our faces... that's when we give Him the greatest gift we can give... our hearts, everything that we are. It's only in Him that we find the shelter and strength that we need.

Hope/I'm Broken : God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." -Hebrews 13:5-6
There are times in our walk with Christ that He may feel far away. Times when we are hurting and going through trials that test and push us. Times when we call out to Him and it seems like He isn't hearing us... that He isn't taking care of whatever the situation is. We may even profess that God's got our back... He always keeps His promises. He will take care of everything. In our hearts though... we are confused, we feel like He is so far away.. that He is answering us. God doesn't want us to pretend our faith in Him. The fact is... He is always there. The Son of God came to this earth and experienced the dark for us so that we never would be alone. He sees what we go through, He allows it to happen, and He will get us through it. He will never leave us or forsake us. Turning to Him, calling out to Him, trusting Him, will allow us to know Christ with an intimacy we didn't know we could have.

You could certainly ask me, and I would tell you: He is light, the glory of God. He is grace, this amazing gift. He is the Cleft in the Rock into which you can retreat when broken and weary. You will find understanding in His shelter, and you will find hope in His presence because He will wrap His arms around yours. He will hold your faint heart with His nail-scarred hands. He will be there, always, an infinite comfort and hope. -Dr. Helen Roseveare.

Strength/I Feel Things Are Crashing Around Me : In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. -John 16:33
In this chapter Sheila talks about her struggle with depression. We all go through things that bring us down... lower then we thought we could go. I myself have gone through depression. I remember just praying that the Lord would just take my life. I remember just feeling broken... weary... and like I was nothing... I had nothing left to give. On page 137 Sheila writes...
"I didn't want to be vulnerable or feel out of control. I had taught myself through the years to take care of myself so that no one would be able to hurt me too deeply. But I discovered that when I protect myself from people, I shield myself from God too. The internal vows we make ultimately isolate us and cast shadows over the landscape of our lives."
This really hit close to home for me. It has been years since God brought me through my depression... but I do find that I isolate myself in fear of being hurt. I have a hard time letting people know me... really trusting them.
Sheila goes on to say...
"But we were not designed to live careful lives, holding back who we really are, our hopes and fears. True strength invited is to live with an open heart and soul, knowing that Christ has a good, strong hold on us."
Bad things are going to happen... but God is still in control. With suffering comes His comfort.

More/I Know There's Something Better :Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. -Matthew 7:7-8
This chapter breaks down the above verse. God is not distant or disapproving or disconnected, but a Father who loves to give good gifts to His children. When Jesus said to ask and it will be given to you... He is saying to ask and keep asking... be persistent... beg! When He said to seek and you shall find... He was saying to strive to find... look for. When Jesus said to knock and the door will be opened... He was saying... knock at the door with a heavy blow... Bang!
"Shout to God. Run to Him. Chase Him down. Bang on His door anytime. Live higher, with all you heart, but lean harder on God, with all that's in you- and you will find God there, always ready, ever waiting to give you even beyond what you need." -Sheila Walsh page 157.

Home/I Have a Future :In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. -John 14:2
God has promised us eternity. We will be with Him one day in Heaven where there is no pain and suffering... no lose or tears.
The one thing that struck me the most in this chapter is the fact that we don't always have answers for bad things that happen. Some questions will only be answered when we get home.
Christ's statement to John the Baptist begs a question that each one of us must answer at some point in our lives: will you love and serve a God you don't always understand? It is clear to me now that there are moments in life, heartaches that will make no sense this side of eternity. - pg. 181


I know that no matter the trials, no matter how many times I mess up, no matter if I feel like God isn't right next to me, no matter how worn out I may feel... God is with me through it all, He is my shelter, He is my hope, He will show me grace, and He will comfort me... and one day... I will be in eternity with Him... and I will say that it was all worth it.

This was an awesome book... I very rarely write in and mark up books... but I couldn't help it with this book. I would recommend this book to everyone!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Distinction Between Two Loves

Feelings are not entirely ours to command. We are attracted towards some against our will, while others we can never experience a spontaneous affection. If we are moved solely by our feelings, that is not love. Real love means that we are still master of our acts, and we use our inclinations and attractions simply as guides in the direction which we choose to take. And the same is true when reason tells us which direction love must take. It is not reason which impels us to love, it is we ourselves who choose to love, taking reason as our guide.

-St. Aeired of Rievaulx



I read this many years ago... and for some reason it has been something that I go back and re-read and analyze.

Love part 1...

It is funny that we can't always control our feelings toward someone or something. There are some people in our life that we have felt that instant connection to... and yet others that we don't.

We can't just go by our feelings/desires... because that could be lust instead of love. When we confuse lust for love... we can easily lose track of our actions... and do something we will regret. But love, that is something we can control because love is not just a feeling... it is something we choose to do. Real love can, and will wait to express that love to whoever God has called them to marry... and wait for that wedding night to experience that love... not lust.

Love Part 2

We can easily love our spouse, our children, our parents, and those we have that instant connections to. There are others that we have to choose to show love to. So, two types of love... the love that is a feeling... and the love that is willing. The love the Bible speaks about is that love of willing... the willed tendency of the heart.
The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all you heart, your mind, soul, and strength... then to love your neighbor as yourself. What if that neighbor is someone who has hurt you. Then that is someone you would have to choose to love, the only way to do that is to seek God's will over our own will. What good is it to just love those that love us... and are good to us? The fact is...Non-believers do that. With God, and in seeking His will for our lives we are called to love everyone... even our enemies. Look art Luke 6L 27-36.
We all have 'reason' too love... Because, Christ set that example for us. He chose to love us first... even though we don't always deserve it.

Hillsong United - Age to Age (His Glory Appears) HQ

A Time to Dance

My most recent book that I signed up to review for Booksneeze.com was a book by one of my favorite authors, Karen Kingsbury, entitled A Time to Dance.

Karen Kingsbury is a New York Times best-selling author that has written some amazing Christian Fiction that I have enjoyed over the years.
Books that I have enjoyed by her include the Lost Love Series, the September 11th Series, the Forever Faithful Series, and the Timeless Love Series. Of course, my favorites by her is the the series' that include the Baxter Family... The Redemption Series, The Firstborn Series, the Sunrise Series, and now the Above the Line Series... which I am currently reading.

For this review I read A Time to Dance which is from her Lost Love Series... and I can honestly say that at first it wasn't something I thought I would want to read because it deals with a very deep subject... Divorce. Such a nasty, messy thing that God would want us to avoid. Divorce hurts so many people... and it makes me so sad that people give up and think that it's for the best. I know that their are reasons... good reasons... that cause people to get out of a marriage, like abuse. But, our culture has made marriages dispensable... if your not happy then find someone else that will make you happy... and so on.

So, here's the premise of the book...

John and Abby were the perfect couple with the perfect family. But on the verge of an affair, John is no more the man Abby married than she is the bride of his dreams. So they decide to divorce. But when they gather their children to tell them the news, their daughter announces she’s getting married.

Determined not to ruin Nicole's happiness, Abby and John agree to postpone their divorce. But as the wedding nears, they wonder: is it possible to still find joy and perhaps the time…to dance?


The story unfolds with a married couple that have allowed things to come between them... time, space, jobs... and other people. They both lose touch with one another... they stop praying together, they stop talking to each other, the stop depending on God and on each other... and they both get emotionally attached to another person of the opposite sex.
The hate and bitterness that they have for each other is... well,.. just sick! The fact is though, it is very real. This book could hit too close to home for some people. It really messed with my mind... I even had a couple bad dreams. It did make me look into my own relationship with my husband. No, we are not anywhere in anyway talking about divorce. Reading this book made me think about how we communicate... are we really talking and listening to each other? Are we putting God first... and then each other next... and then our son... and so on? I believe it is a good thing when God uses something that causes us to evaluate our life... and the choices we are making.

I will say, I did need to find the second book in the series... I had to see what would happen to this couple. I knew it would be that happy ending... but I had to finish their story. Both books are good...Karen Kingsbury is great at writing about real life situations.... and illustrating how God wants us to handle tough situations.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Being Christlike: 20% Head knowledge/ 80% Action

My devotion time today was on being Christlike. Most of us remember the WWJD bracelets that were really popular. People were wearing them to remind them in their day to day life to think 'What Would Jesus Do?'

We were all made in the image of God... we are not talking about looks, although He must have a head... two arms... legs... etc. I see that the scripture is really referring to character likeness.

God said, Let Us (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, after Out likeness. -Genesis 1:26


What I mean in character likeness is that we were going to take on His nature, His character that was reflected in His son Jesus. As believers, we are transformed into His image and likeness. Jesus gave us prime examples on how to live Christlike.

We are to love one another... even our enemies. Look at how Jesus reacted when He was on the cross... He asked His Father "forgive them, for they know not what the do." -Luke 23:34

Jesus wanted us to serve one another... look at when he washed His disciples feet, a job that servants would do. After He washed their feet He said, "For I have given you this example, so that you should do what I have done to you." -John 13:15

We teach our children to "Do unto others what you would have them do unto you"... Do we really dig into that and know what that really means? Do we live that?

Jesus Christ went through everything we have and will go though. He dealt with the Devil and temptations that were put before Him. He felt anger... and betrayal... lack of understanding and rejection by His own people.

He also had friendships and had the support of community (disciples) and family.

Are we striving to be Christlike? Are we looking at the life Jesus lead... and looking to Him to make us into what He has called us to be?

"For even to this you were called, For Christ suffered for you, leaving you His example, so that you should follow in His footsteps." - 1 Peter 2:21

God is going to keep working on each of us until we get to the place where we act the way Jesus would act in every situation of life, until we manifest the same kind of fruit of the Spirit that He manifested. -Joyce Meyer


I know I have asked this before in one way or another... Are we looking at our trials and seeing past them to what God is trying to show us through them? Are we acting in the way Jesus would in those trials? Years from now will we be able to look back and know that we did exactly what God wanted us to do? When we stand before God will He tell us... "well done, My good and faithful servant"? That is my goal... I shouldn't need a bracelet to remind me.... I want to live my life striving to be like Christ. I want to love, forgive, support, and serve others.... and any other character trait God brings out of me.

Hillsong LIVE: "Like Incense / Sometimes By Step" featuring Brooke Frase...