Priorities by Vicki Hinze

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Vicki Hinze

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“For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.”

Acts 17:28

I read that verse, tried to skim over it, thinking I’d grasped its significance, and something pulled me back to it three times. Finally, I got the message, slowed down, and read it with an open mind and heart. 

 

My thoughts perked, my body alerted, and I went still, letting my thoughts scramble and settle into place.  It was an interesting ride that led me to some unexpected conclusions I want to share in the hope that you’ll find some benefit from them!

Conclusions

We’re all busy.  Responsibilities and duties at work and home eat at the lion’s share of our time.  Then there are our extracurricular activities.  If the kids are small, there are even more.  And even if they’re grown and gone, we’re still looking out for them, for the grandchildren, and so on.

 

For years, people thought because I work at home that I had tons of free time.  Actually, there was less than when I worked in the corporate world.  There, I could leave the office and take tidbits of work home if necessary.  Working at home, I’m immersed in work all the time.  Having a 2-4 page “To-Do List” was normal.  The only down time was when I put my foot down and took it.

 

Eventually, I learned to work from a priority list.  Top of it each day was reading my Bible.  I woke up early to do it, before the  family’s day began, so I could focus intently.  This was my time with God, and at first, it was hard to focus.  My mind wanted to race ahead to all I had to do that day.  But I stayed put with it, and soon looked forward to it.  It finally dawned on me that this one-on-one time set the tone for my day.  The family, too, noticed the difference.  I was calmer, more patient—for me, I felt more balanced and less frantic about all that needed to be done.

Understanding that living in Him, putting Him first, dawned.  Feeding the spirit is living in Him and that nourishes emotionally, and both nourish us physically. 

 In him we move…

There’s physical, emotional, and spiritual movement. 

 

Our thoughts and circumstance lead us to move based on emotion, but we’re instructed to temper emotion with logic.  The heart and the head move, and when they are harmonious, we make the best decisions, take the best actions.  We are created with logic and reason for purpose.  To temper our emotional reactions and incorporate reason and logic and good judgment before acting.  When we do, we are moving in Him, using the tools He provided us to affect the best outcomes.

Admittedly, one part of this, in stages of my life, I ignored.  Physical movement.  I just couldn’t get up any earlier, stay up any later, shave any more time from my schedule to incorporate physical exercise.  Even the thought of it was overwhelming.  Needless to say, I’ve paid for that mindset.

Our bodies were made to move.  They require it to function properly, and to keep functioning properly.  Not on one front but on all fronts. 

I’m late to the party in realizing this, but I’m making headway, and I’ve accepted that if I don’t take care of me, I won’t be able to take care of anyone else. 

Physical movement isn’t a luxury, it’s essential.  The mind and body work better, the thoughts are elevated, and all of those things work together for our good.

I hope that none of you are as resistant to this as I was.  I was wrong.  I pay for that.  Adopt your favorite physical activity, be it walking or working out at the gym, swimming or whatever, and enjoy the perks of it—and avoid the challenges of avoiding it.

No matter our responsibilities, our obligations, our desires, we must accept that if we are in harmony with Acts 17:28, we are doing what we can to ensure we’re in our best physical, emotional, and spiritual help to fulfill them.

I’m sure there are more conclusions to be drawn here, but I hope these are helpful to you.  And as I discover, I’ll share.

Blessings,

Vicki Hinze

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Freedom by James R. Coggins

Posted on March 5, 2025 by jrcoggins

Freedom is not commonly thought of as a Christian value, but it is. In Galatians 5, Paul declared that “Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1 NIV). But Paul then warned the Galatians: “Do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). What kind of slavery was he warning against?

Primarily, he was warning the Galatians not to accept the advice of people who were telling them that they had to follow the Mosaic law. This would include the moral law but also a whole host of rituals that were supposed to atone for their sins. These rituals were onerous in themselves, but they were also ineffective. People who trusted in them would not be forgiven but would still carry the guilt and punishment for their sins. They would remain bound by guilt and fear.

Paul then went on to tell the Galatians: “Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh” (Galatians 5:13). He gave the examples of sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, and orgies (Galatians 5:19-21). This danger was that the Galatians might think that since they were free from the Mosaic law, they could do whatever they liked. However, the sins of the flesh might start out as freedom, but they end up as addiction and another kind of slavery. People who engage in such behaviors find that they cannot stop, and their lifestyle becomes destructive.

Modern Christians, also, must avoid the two types of slavery—an obsession with rule-keeping on the one hand, which leads to joylessness, fear, and pride, and sinful indulgence on the other hand. In the middle ground is submission to God’s Spirit, which produces love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). In Christ, we are free to live as God wants us to live.

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Finding Peace: Dealing with Stress from a Christian Biblical Viewpoint

Posted on March 4, 2025 by Author Mary Alford

Jesus talks about peace in John 14:27 where He promises to leave us with peace.   
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

That’s a beautiful passage and one of my favorites. In fact, Jesus mentions the concept of peace 43 times in the New Testament. The word peace is refereced 429 times in the Bible.

Peace is something we all long for, yet stress is an unavoidable part of life. The Bible offers timeless guidance to help navigate it with faith and trust. Here are a few ways the scriptures encourage believers to find peace amidst the chaos:

1. Trust in God’s Plan Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” When stress weighs heavy, placing our trust in God’s greater plan can lighten the load.

2. The Power of Prayer Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to turn to prayer in anxious moments: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Through prayer, many find not only clarity but also a profound sense of calm.

3. Cast Your Burdens on Him 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us that we don’t have to bear our stress alone: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Stress becomes more manageable when we lean on God and let Him carry the weight.

4. Rest in His Presence In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus offers an open invitation to those feeling burdened: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” True rest comes not just from physical reprieve but from the peace found in Christ.

5. A Heavenly Perspective 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 shifts our focus from earthly troubles to eternal hope: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” Stress fades when viewed through the lens of eternity.

In moments of stress, leaning on these biblical truths can help believers find solace and strength. Faith doesn’t eliminate life’s challenges but provides the tools to face them with hope and resilience. So, when stress arises, turn to prayer, scripture, and community to rediscover the peace that only God can provide.

All the best. . .

Mary Alford

http://www.maryalford.net

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Letting Go So Our Kids Can Shine!

Posted on March 4, 2025 by Ann Malley

Yes, I tend to write about motherhood. A lot. Why? I was/am a stay-at-home mom who homeschooled her children so, writing aside, that’s what I know best. Being the youngest of eight children, as my readers already know, has also lent me untold insights to mother love and wisdom at its finest. That is in the trenches. Here we go!

Motherhood is all about learning to let go. From the moment we find out we’re pregnant, our lives start shifting away from just us. Our bodies make space for new life, our schedules change–like it or not–and suddenly, we’re living for someone else. But as our kids grow, the biggest challenge isn’t just making sacrifices—it’s stepping back so they can shine.

Being a mom means guiding, loving, and protecting, but it doesn’t mean shaping our children into mini versions of ourselves. Heaven forbid! I want better for my children. Our job isn’t to control every outcome; it’s to help them discover their own path. Sometimes, that means putting aside our own expectations and simply cheering them on. The world tells us success is about personal achievement, but love—real, deep, unconditional love—means being happy when someone else gets the spotlight.

In the daily grind of motherhood, dying to self often looks like the little things—waking up early to pack lunches, listening when we’d rather give advice, or offering a prayer instead of panicking. The hardest part, though, is not needing credit. A mom’s love isn’t about being seen; it’s about making sure her kids feel seen. Real love isn’t about competition. It’s about lifting others up without looking for recognition.

This same thankless routine that isn’t really thankless at all, carries on throughout our children’s lives. Adult kids need parents. They rely upon us to be that sounding board the world often denies it’s potential victims. But once again, our job as a parent, as a steward, is to guide and support and to be honest when asked unless red lights and sirens demand we speak out of pure charity.

This idea goes beyond parenting. Our lives aren’t just for us; they’re part of something bigger. Everything we have—our talents, time, and even our bodies—are gifts to be used with purpose. When we stop trying to control everything and instead trust in a bigger plan, we find real peace. Man proposes; God disposes!

Letting go doesn’t mean losing yourself, however. It means opening your hands and watching something beautiful grow, to include oneself, and often in a direction we never anticipated. God’s ways aren’t our ways and thank the Lord for that. The greatest joy isn’t in holding on—it’s in knowing you’ve helped someone else take flight. And when we see our kids stepping confidently into their own futures, we realize that letting go isn’t a loss at all. It’s the most powerful act of love.

In my household, there’s an artistic dynamo who has deigned to sublimate a young man’s typical habits – girlfriend, guys night out, drinking, partying – to focus on a singular goal. A music career. That choice was a shocker for certain people in this household who shall remain nameless, but honestly, granting our son the liberty to chisel the future he wants while offering a safe haven has been a godsend blessing. My unconventional creative projects have received nothing but support from my son and, without that, I doubt I’d be writing the essay. That father and son bond that often goes the way of blighted desires has done nothing but grow, transforming both while giving my husband yet another career to claim on his unwieldy resume. Sound Engineer! Who’d have thought? Not me. Not my husband. And not our son or his two sisters until infinite potentiality gave way to reality. God’s ways in action!

A SURVIVOR DETERMINED TO RESCUE HER BABY!
A SHARPSHOOTING NON-NONSENSE MOM!
A WIDOW WHO’LL NEVER GIVE UP HER CHILD!

Surprisingly, or maybe not, three of my Clean/Christian romantic suspense thrillers feature a mother and son at the core.

Make what you will of that. I have another one with a similar makeup that’s nearly completed. Hmmm. I only thought of that right now. Go figure but maybe God is trying to tell me something. I’m on the right course maybe? I sure hope so!

In the meantime, I have another mother/son series in the works. This CLEAN, creepy, cozy adventure is not quite named yet. We’ll see. Manassas Mayhem–I’m open for ideas–will feature cold case murders, present-day copycats, blackmail, ghost lore, and a shock of shockers, a mother and son team. This duo works together to solve crime in the not-sleepy-small and majorly musical town of Manassas, VA while providing the mutual support necessary to break past the slings and arrows of commercialism within the music industry. Breaking past the barriers of anxiety & depression that often magnify with age is a main theme as that’s my theme. It ain’t over until it’s over!

I’ll keep you posted.

God bless :^)

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Seeking Peace by Vicki Hinze

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Vicki Hinze

Seeking Peace, vicki hinze, christians read

 

Whether in a relationship, in a job, or in life, true peace is often elusive.  We chase it, we pray for it, we yearn for it, and at times we glimpse it, yet largely peace escapes us.

Why is that? 

That’s the question that sent me searching, inside and out.  Eventually, I wound up in the garden with Jesus when He knew He was about to be betrayed and arrested, yet He still treated the Disciples with dignity and grace.  He held His peace.  He prayed for God’s will, not His own, to be done.

That had to be the key, didn’t it?  His willingness to surrender to God’s will even though He knew the challenges and the costs.

That seemed likely to me.  Logical, plausible, and wise.  It respected obedience and honor and showed His heart.  The reward for that was grace.  And in grace, He found peace.

Peace came from within. 

Faced with difficulties and enormous challenges, He chose to serve. By grace, He made His peace.

There were a lot of lessons in that realization.  I noted Jesus didn’t go to God in prayer as a last resort but first.  Jesus laid His soul bare, putting His concerns on the altar, as we say today. 

That was a big takeaway for me.  I used to think you do all you can and then turn it over to God.  Through this, I learned that before you do anything, pray about it, seek wisdom, seek guidance, and then do your part and then leave it on the altar.  

Life is going to have storms and hills and valleys.  We were never promised it would not.  What we were promised is that we would face nothing alone.  God is with us, Christ is with us, always.

That means, He is available to guide, assist, offer insight and oversight all the time.  24/7.  But it is up to us to call on Him and ask for that expertise to be shared.  He gave us free will and won’t infringe unless we let Him know our free will choice.  In doing so, we acknowledge our limits and His lack of limits.

This, in my experience, brings peace—even during life’s storms.  It isn’t so much something we find, as it is that, when we get our house in order, peace finds us.

Blessings,

Vicki Hinze

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HOPE by Patricia Bradley

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Patricia Bradley

The poem by Emily Dickinson has long been one of my favorites. Hope drives me to do the things I do when life and my body tell me it’s time to give up. Hope is why I kept writing for over thirty years. 

I’m not talking about hope as in, I hope I get to do something. No, the hope that kept me writing all those years was grounded in knowing God called me to this writing gig, and I didn’t think He would have me wasting my time. 

You may be wondering how I knew God called me to write, and I can’t tell you, only that deep in my heart, I knew one day my book would be published (Note I said my book, not books). But as I approached twenty-five-plus years of waiting, I reminded Him I wasn’t getting any younger, and that’s when I (in my spirit) heard Him say, “Your mother will hold your book in her hands.”

Several more years passed and I was still waiting. Oh, I’d learned to enjoy the journey, maybe because my writing improved. And that’s what it was all about. If I had been published any sooner, I would have been so embarrassed by my work. I needed those extra years of seasoning. 

God is always faithful, and my mother held my book in her hands a month before she passed away. In fact, He’s not only faithful, He gives us more than we can think or imagine. I wanted one book published. That was my whole focus. God has given me 18 books so far in the eleven years since my first book was released.

During the years before my first book was published, God gave me what I call “God-winks”. The very first thing I ever wrote was published by Woman’s World. And every time I was about to give up, they bought another story. You can read the last one on my website. Click here. 

But what if I’d given up at the beginning of year thirty? That’s when Revell offered me a contract for Shadows of the Past. And this year I return to Logan Point, the setting of the first series with a new book!

And now back to my writing cave to work on a proposal for my next book…

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A Day in the Life of a Semi-retired Writer by James R. Coggins

Posted on February 26, 2025 by jrcoggins

Younger people often wonder what seniors do with all that spare time they have in their retirement years.

I’ll be glad to elucidate that for all of you enquiring minds. Here is what I did on a recent typical day. On that day, I:

• shoveled snow

• spread sand

• complained to a manager

• hung a blind

• repaired a broken chair

• bandaged a cut arm

• hunted a bear

• checked my emails, deleted most of them as spam, and responded to some of the others

• filled out two forms for the government, sent them in electronically, and printed the confirmation pages

• downloaded two other government forms and printed them

• picked up the mail

• filed two reports that came in the mail

• prepared a Bible study for a care group meeting

• worked on writing a devotional meditation

• started an online discussion

• offered detailed advice to an author about the best options for publishing his book

• deleted files

• cleaned a cat box

• researched the impact of proposed government tariffs on the book publishing industry

• played hockey

• watched a few minutes of a hockey game on TV

• consoled a grandchild

• contacted an old friend a few thousand miles away

• jotted down a few lines of dialogue for a murder mystery I am writing

• did very little actual work

• wrote this blog. Okay, it’s not One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. But I’m not Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. And this blog is shorter—and you read it all the way through to the end.

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View Through a Prism by Vicki Hinze

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Vicki Hinze

View through a Prism, vicki hinze, Christians Read

We all view life and events through a prism that has many facets.  Our beliefs, our experiences, what we are taught and accept as truth, and what we choose to see—and not to see.

We can’t be wholly objective about anything because of our personal prism.  We can strive to be objective, really work at it, but that’s about the best we can do.  For believers, this desire leads to lots of prayers for clarity and truth.

In seeking clarity and truth, we expand our prism, so to speak.  We are open to other viewpoints, to possibilities we haven’t yet considered.  And we’re willing to incorporate what we find that is logical, reasonable, and deemed to be good and honest into our prism. That expands it.

Will we always be right?  No.  Will we be right more often?  Highly likely. 

An open mind and a willingness to expand our thinking isn’t always an easy thing for us to accept, but it is a beautiful thing when we do.  What we discover might not be beautiful in a traditional sense.  It might be painful, hurtful, and hard.  But it is is also beautiful in that it is honest and pure—the closest we can get to clarity and truth from where we are at the moment.

As we do this, we often notice things we missed earlier.  Things that either escaped our notice all together or that we didn’t deem important at the time and later come to realize are significant.

That’s the gift in our willingness to expand our thinking, to opening our minds and hearts, to hearing and listening more and talking less.

Everyone’s prism is different and yet shares commonalities with the prisms of others.  We won’t agree on everything, but expanding our own prism bodes well for us agreeing on more.

Especially in times where the world seems rife with disagreement, isn’t unity in part a blessing?  Isn’t it comforting—whether in discovering we are not alone or in we’re not totally out in left field?

There is beauty and heartbreak in everyone’s prism.  If we remember that, open our minds and hearts, rediscover compassion and empathy, perhaps we can do better at getting along and actually thrive together.  In our own ways, on our own paths, but in harmony and with respect.

Blessings,

Vicki Hinze

 

 

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A Cleansing Stream

Posted on February 20, 2025 by dtopliff
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In Judaism, a mikveh (or sometimes mikvah) is a ritual bath for purification and cleansing to prepare worshippers to enter the temple. The name means “collection of water.” The water must come from a natural source such as a lake, river, lake, ocean, or rain, and must be unmoving, not flowing. The Mishna, the Jewish code of law, defined its requirements. The structure itself had to be square and be entered by descending steps to deeper levels so the person could gradually dip to immerse him or herself for cleansing. 

 
The immersion ritual goes far back in Jewish roots. Every major site I visit in Israel, has mikvehs for worshippers to use before approaching synagogue or temple sites. In early Tent of Moses Tabernacle times, the ceremonial cleansing was originally accomplished at the brazen (bronze) laver. 

From the time of John the Baptist, the ceremony changed from cleansing in unmoving water each time the person came to worship to a (usually) once-only baptism immersion in the Jordan River’s muddy moving water instead of in Jerusalem’s religious capital. Baptism became the outward sign the of the believer’s inward forgiveness and removal of sins, confirming their new life within.  

At Magdala, the early fishing village on the Sea of Galilee where Mary Magdalene lived, excavations recently revealed a beautifully preserved mikveh. Excellent photos and explanations of it are found at YouTube link https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2227322350983895.

This photo below shows another excellent mikveh at Qumran where the Essenes lived, worshipped, and copied the Dead Sea Scrolls. 

At the Lord’s instruction, when Moses led Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land and needed water, he was told to strike the rock once (as a sign of the Lord’s redemption for us), and water gushed out.

When those involved in the School of the Prophets found their water spring undrinkable, the Lord told Elisha to sprinkle salt in the water. The unusable spring became healed and drinkable.

In Bible lands where water is essential to life, the Lord provided water and instructed his followers to immerse in living, flowing streams representing new life in Him rather to remain in static, unmoving waters.

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord.” Isaiah 3:2-4a KJV

 

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Misplaced Confidence by James R. Coggins

Posted on February 19, 2025 by jrcoggins

In Philippians 3:1-11, the apostle Paul was warning the early Christians about relying on circumcision and following other Jewish rituals and obeying other laws and rules. He described his own life, saying, “If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless” (verses 4-6). Then Paul said that he considered all of these good deeds as garbage compared to “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

We may find it hard to see the relevance in Paul’s description of his life as a devout Jew (Philippians 3:4-6). But consider the following testimony:

I grew up in a Christian home and was raised by godly parents. I publicly accepted Christ as my personal Savior at a Christian camp when I was twelve. I was baptized at sixteen and joined our local Baptist church. I was active in the youth group and helped out with summer vacation Bible school and Sunday school. I went to Bible college and earned a Master’s degree in theology from a respected evangelical seminary. I have taught Sunday school and led Bible studies and am a member of the church board. I am married with three children. I have never committed a crime. I don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs. I am well respected in my community and church.

We would all applaud such a testimony. But what if the person giving the testimony went on to say: The truth is I am not saved by any of this. In fact, I consider it all as less than useless compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

How easy it is to see the flaws in Paul’s early life. And how easy it is to fail to see the flaws in our own. How easy it is for us to fall back into relying on our own righteous works to be justified before God, instead of recognizing that we are sinners saved by grace, saved by faith in Jesus alone, justified only by Jesus dying on the cross to save us.

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A Glimpse of Heaven: Our Ultimate Destination

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Author Mary Alford

Ever wonder what Heaven will be like? Me, too.

Thoughts of Heaven have inspired countless works of art, literature, and music. A place of eternal peace and joy, heaven represents the ultimate destination for those who seek solace and fulfillment beyond this earthly life. But what exactly is heaven, and why does it hold such a significant place in our hearts and minds?

A Promise of Eternal Joy

In the Bible, heaven is described as a place of unparalleled beauty and bliss. Revelation 21:4 promises that “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” This verse encapsulates the essence of heaven—a realm where suffering is nonexistent, and every soul experiences everlasting happiness.

A Place Prepared for Us

Jesus spoke of heaven as a place specifically prepared for His followers. In John 14:2-3, He reassures His disciples, saying, “My Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.” This promise not only offers comfort but also strengthens our faith, knowing that we are destined for a divine home where we will dwell in the presence of God.

Fellowship with God

One of the most beautiful aspects of heaven is the eternal fellowship we will have with God. Revelation 21:3 proclaims, “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.” In heaven, we will experience an intimate relationship with our Creator, basking in His glory and love for eternity.

A Reunion with Loved Ones

Heaven also promises a joyous reunion with our loved ones who have gone before us. 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 assures us, “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” This hope of being reunited with family and friends brings immense comfort and anticipation.

Living with Purpose

While the promise of heaven fills us with hope, it also calls us to live our earthly lives with purpose and intentionality. Colossians 3:2 encourages us to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” By focusing on the eternal, we are inspired to lead lives that reflect God’s love, grace, and righteousness, ultimately preparing ourselves for the heavenly home that awaits.

Heaven is more than just a distant dream; it is a divine promise that offers solace, hope, and purpose. As we journey through life, let us keep our eyes fixed on this ultimate destination, drawing strength from the assurance of eternal joy, fellowship with God, and reunions with loved ones. May the thought of heaven fill our hearts with peace and inspire us to live lives that honor the One who has prepared such a magnificent place for us.

As I think of Heaven, I’m reminded of that magnificent hymn, When We All Get To Heaven!

When we all get to heaven,

What a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus,

We’ll sing and shout the victory!

What a day that will be!

Mary Alford  

http://www.maryalford.net

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A Response to Frustration by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on February 17, 2025 by Nancy J. Farrier
Photo by Obi – @pixel9propics on Unsplash

Last Saturday, my husband and I were on our way to a fundraising gala supporting my favorite ministry, when we noticed a funny sound from our car. Thinking we’d picked up a plastic bag, my husband pulled over only to discover we had a flat tire. Ugh! 

A little frustration unfurled. Didn’t God understand we were on our way to a ministry event? Why would something like this happen? We had a long drive ahead and needed to get there on time. I sighed and helped my husband with the tire change—meaning I stood there and chatted while he worked. 

We returned home after he put on the spare, and exchanged our car for our truck and made it to the gala in plenty of time. The next day we took the tire to the place where we’d bought tires just a month prior to having the flat. A tire weight had punctured our tire so we were given a new tire under the warranty.

But there was a problem. The compressor the tire place used wasn’t working and they were waiting for a repairman. A little more annoyance settled in. We left the tire and returned home. 

During the week, we made trips to town for appointments and always checked on our tire. They kept saying they were waiting for the compressor to be fixed, which was a lesson in inconvenience for us. You have to understand that we live in a remote area and the place we bought the tire is almost 60 miles away.

We all face times of affliction when life isn’t going the way we expect it to go and we have no control over the situation. There is the desire to take things into our hands and manipulate without seeking God’s advice. That almost never ends well.

Abraham was told of a child of promise that he would father with Sarah, but Sarah was old and didn’t truly believe or want to wait. She gave Hagar, her maid, to Abraham. The result was Ishmael, who wasn’t the child of promise. They needed to be patient and wait for Isaac to come in God’s timing.

The Israelites followed Moses into the desert away from Egypt, seeing many miracles performed by God to keep them safe as He delivered them from Pharaoh’s cruel hand. When Moses ascended the mountain to meet with God and get the ten commandments, the Israelites grew impatient. They made an idol to worship and many of them died when Moses discovered their treachery. If they had just waited on God’s timing and Moses’ return.

There are also examples in scripture of how to handle life’s upsets the right way.

Daniel showed how to handle fear and frustration when the King made an edict that anyone worshipping someone other than him would be thrown in the lion’s den. Daniel prayed and sought God’s will and God protected him in the coming trial in a mighty way.

Jesus also showed how to gracefully handle conflict and strife. He often went away to pray and seek His Father’s will. Even on the brink of being arrested, Jesus didn’t try to escape or manipulate events so He didn’t have to die on the cross. His prayer showed that He didn’t look forward to facing the cross, but His words, “Not my will but thine be done,” conveyed the attitude of His heart.

When we face the frustrations life throws at us, our first response should be to pray. What does God want us to do in this situation? What should our heartfelt response be? What does He want us to learn in this instance?

As to our tire situation, on Friday, we went to town with the idea of picking up the tire and taking it somewhere else, if they would allow us to do that and still honor the warranty. When we arrived the repairman for the compressor was there, so we did some shopping, had lunch, and then picked up our new tire and went home.

I am thankful we went through this and saw God work out the situation in His time.

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PEACE IN TURBULENT TIMES by Vicki Hinze

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Vicki Hinze

Peace in turbulent times, christians read, vicki hinze

 

Few dispute these are tumultuous times.  It seems everything and everyone is in an uproar over something, or over many things.  If it isn’t fires or plane crashes or train crashes or hurricanes striking from the coast, it’s hurricanes striking from Wall Street or Washington.

It’s hard to keep your peace, to see the beauty in anything, when there’s so much turbulence and upset all around us.  Of course, it impacts us internally as well.  As singular individuals, we do what we can to make things better.  Yet often we look outward for ways to do that, when first we should look within.  If we’re calm, we have better odds of calming others, of seeing more clearly, of deepening our insights.  These are all coping tools, or skills, that are beneficial and integral to peace.

When we’re anxious, we look at the world and events through that prism, and too often see only the bad things happening.  True, there’s plenty to see, and since bad news sells, that’s what we hear most, so this comes as little surprise.  It is however an unbalanced view and one that, if we don’t guard our minds, can drive us into despair.

As believers, we know that regardless of worldly influences, God is in control.  We know that there is purpose and reason (as well as a season) for all things.  That evil done to cause harm, He can turn and use for good.

We also know that this conversion process is a two-part process. 

  1. We do our part.
  2. God does His part. And He is always respectful of our free will.

His respect for our free will is why it is so important to guard our minds.  If we focus on doom and gloom, God will respect it as our wish.  If we focus on solutions and finding value or good in the opportunities tough times bring to light, then He’ll respect that.  (Remember the beauty from ashes.)

Understanding His respect for free will, and how we signal what our free will is raises the question, “What do we want respected?”

An example:

Looking at the economy, you see a lot of people have been hurt by Covid and all that’s occurred since then.  There are few exceptions, and I certainly am not one of them.

A dear friend recently asked me if I’d been hurt by the stock market challenges.  I replied that the best I can figure right now, I’ll have to work ten years after I die before I can retire.

Now, you might think that’s a bad thing, and it is.  But what if instead, you think about it differently?  Okay, so retirement and traveling are pipe dreams now.  Honestly, they were just something to look forward to, not a passion, but maybe for others they are passions.  For the sake of illustration, let’s say they were passions for me and I’m bitterly disappointed that I won’t be doing either.  I have two choices:

  1. I can stay disappointed and live the rest of my life bitter.
  2. I can look for something good and enjoy the rest of my life.

Staying bitter holds no appeal for all the obvious reasons.  Dissatisfaction and discontent leads to a life of regret and disillusion until it’s too late to have a life to live.  So I’ll take the looking for something good route.

Sounds easy, this choice.  But it’s hard to find something good in losing a lifetime of savings that is the evidence of years of hard work.  But that’s on a physical level and, in the grand scheme of things, that’s a small share of eternity.  So I see wisdom in shifting to a big-picture view of my life.  A broader canvas. In the broader-canvas view, I (we all) can find something good.

Shifting focus, I ask myself:

  • What will I do during these years I thought I’d be retired? 
  • What new purpose(s) will I adopt?
  • What deeper purpose in my current purpose can I now reach for?
  • What can I do now that I would not have been able to do before? 
  • What new dreams do I now have time and the motivation to pursue?

I’m kind of intrigued at the possibilities.  I see opportunity, potential to continue to grow and be a positive influence.  I see hope.  Yes, indeed, I’m enthused!  Actually, I’m excited.

Yes, there will be hard times.  Yes, there are wrongs that need correcting.  Yes, we do have a lot of work to do in every area imaginable.  Entity upon entity failed, and they all need to be fixed.  It won’t all be pleasant.  It won’t all be fun.  It won’t all be easy.

But let’s face it.  In these areas, we’ve been lax and apathetic.  Anything neglected is always going to need repair.  We get to be a part of those repairs.  We have a voice in deciding how they are repaired.

We get an opportunity to renew ourselves and to define or redefine our purpose.  To really think about what we want to do with this “found” time.  And we face all this knowing that God is  with us, and He’ll respect our focus and free will.

And maybe, once the shock passes and the fear settles, we will see that in these trying events we have also been blessed with a divine gift:

The chance for a fresh start.

I’m going to grab this chance with both hands and hang onto the hope and promise it holds.  I’m going to be grateful for it, because I know that in seeing this opportunity, for me, God has already turned the intended harm to a good thing.

The beauty of it is that for a long time I’ve worried that collectively we were on the wrong road.  Morals and values and ethics were careening down that slippery slope at warp speed.  I don’t wish this meltdown had happened, but it has; it’s here, and that’s that. 

Now, we get a chance to think about where we’ve been and where we are and to decide if that’s where we want to be and if we’re heading where we really want to go.

Collectively, we’ve suffered a gaping wound.  Collectively, we can let bitterness keep the wound open and seeping (and suffer the infection that comes with it) or we can heal by focusing on what good can come from this.  We know we’ll gain wisdom from knowing what got us here and what we learn on reshaping our futures.

We can have faith and focus on our personal and collective fresh starts.

Blessings,

Vicki

P.S.  In case you are curious, I first wrote this article in 2008.  It felt relevant then but feels even more relevant now.  Remember, when God brings us to something, He also brings us through it.  We just need to shift our focus and align with Him.

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Where Do Writers Get Their Ideas? By James R. Coggins

Posted on February 12, 2025 by jrcoggins

Writers are often asked, “Where do you get your ideas?”

People who ask such questions are not writers. For real writers, ideas are not the problem. Writers are like a seething cauldron bubbling over with ideas, more ideas than they can ever write in a lifetime.

Where do we writers get our ideas? From everywhere. From every person, place, and thing we see and everything we experience. Writers are inveterate people watchers. In shopping malls and airport terminals and restaurants and street corners and churches, we are constantly watching people to see what they look like and how they walk and talk and act and react and interact. “Writer” sounds so much more respectable than “stalker” or “busybody.”

Here is a case in point. For our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, my wife and I booked passage on a cruise ship from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Alaska and back. It was a wonderful and memorable experience.

That experience percolated for several more years and finally emerged as “Anniversary Cruise,” the third of three novellas published together in my most recent book, Too Many Deaths.

Because we had taken this cruise, I could authentically recreate the sights and sounds and feel of being on a cruise ship to Alaska. I could remember details and peculiar observations, such as how an Alaskan fishing village of a few thousand people could support dozens of jewelry stores. You can’t make this stuff up.

For dinner every night, we were seated at a table with the same group of people and got to know them quite well. I immediately recognized this as an ideal place to people watch. I also recognized it as an ideal setting for a “cozy,” a murder mystery with a limited number of suspects all gathered in one place. In “Anniversary Cruise,” I recreated that table setting. Sort of. I am a short, bald, bearded editor; the hero of the novella is John Smyth, a short, bald, bearded editor who was on the cruise to celebrate his twenty-fifth wedding anniversary with his wife. One of the couples at our table was rich; in the novella, one of the couples was rich, but from a different country and with different personal traits. Two of the men at the table had just lost their jobs; in the novella, one man had just lost his job.

There are some differences, of course. None of the people at the table on our anniversary cruise was murdered during the trip. But that happened in the novella.

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Change by Vicki Hinze

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Vicki Hinze

Change, vicki hinze, christians read

Change is as inevitable as breathing.  As humans, often we don’t like it, we don’t want it, and we don’t accept it.

We resist change because we’re settled into things the way they are.  To people, the way they are.  We know what to expect, and what not to expect.

Still, change comes.

There are life-altering accidents.  Life-changing medical issues.  The loss of a job.  The change in circumstance—financial, emotional or spiritual.  We learn something that alters our perspective and what we saw as acceptable now isn’t.

These life-defining moments, like change itself, are inescapable.  The good news is we all experience them.  Some are more painful than others, but these changes eventually impact us and those closest to us in some form.

Some changes are potent and powerful, and we feel disoriented, or out-of-step in our world, and we wonder if we will find our way back to some semblance of peace and content.  Some are minor but throw us off-course for a time.  The bottom line is we long for the way things were.  What we knew.  What was in our comfort zone.

It might not have been great, true, but it wasn’t riddled with all this uncertainty and doubt we feel now.

Most grieve, resisting the change.  That’s normal.  But it’s important not to get stuck there.  To shift focus from what was to what is.  Why?  Because change has occurred.  It is the present.  And only when you assess the present can you begin to adapt and chart your future.  Acceptance is key, and it opens to the door to new possibilities.

Have you ever lost a job and reevaluated your career and decided you wanted something different?  Or that you’ve always wanted to do something but never have had the chance?  If so, could it be that this is the new door opening for you?  That chance to do something you’ve wanted to do for a long time?

Change can bring opportunities.  But you must think about them not as inconveniences, but as opportunities for these special second chances.

If you look ahead to your future and not to your past behind you, eventually you realize that the change you thought was awful was your second chance.

Will you continue to rail against it?  Convince yourself that this change ruined your life?  Or will  you accept the change, embrace it, and seize its opportunities?

It really is your choice.

It’s not always easy, or quick, or without challenges.  But when you are on the other side of it and you look back, you will deem it worth your effort.

In the Bible, this very thing was addressed:

 

“Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”  Matthew 9:17

 

What started this line of thought for me?

Reading the Bible, I discovered how often people’s names were changed.  God and Jesus did this a lot.  Saul was saved and became Paul, for example.

I started searching and saw this happened time and again, and I spotted the pattern:  A person experienced a life-altering event, embraced it, and was made new—changed.

Whether the name change, the identity of the person, was done as a physical reminder of the change or for another reason, only God/Jesus knows.  But I find it plausible that the individual benefits from an in-your-face declaration that you are not who you were.  You are who you have become.

There’s a lesson for us all in that, in my humble opinion.

Blessings,

Vicki Hinze

 

 

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