My younger sister was not my biggest fan when we were growing up. I tried so hard to do things that would make her like me, but it seemed like everything I did just backfired. My mom kept telling me that she was jealous of me, but I still can’t figure out what she would have been jealous of!

It is amazing how jealousy can color our actions and cause us to do things we aren’t proud of.

There are a number of verses in the New Testament regarding jealousy. In James 3:14-15, he lumps jealousy and selfishness together. Paul is even stronger in what he says about it in Galatians 5:19-26

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

If you catch yourself acting out of jealousy, or even just feeling it, be sure to call on the Holy Spirit to help you to nail it to the cross and allow you to produce the good fruit that brings pleasure to God!

Love's Christmas Blessings

by Laura V. Hilton, Rachel J. Good

Publication Date November 20, 2018
Genres: Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction, Clean Romance
Setting: Michigan, Pennsylvania Contemporary
Main Character Ages: 18-24, 25-34
Written for: Adults

I would like to thank Celebrate Lit for giving me a copy of this book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.

Purchase Links

Be sure to scroll past the quotes for Winter’s Treasure to see the review and quotes for Mistletoe and Miracles!

Winter’s Treasure by Laura V. Hilton – 

Paris was so surprised that the boy she had such a crush on moved to the community she now lived in. But she wasn’t about to fall for him again – he had shown he wasn’t interested already. No way was she going to let her heart be broken again! Ironically, Quil didn’t even remember her from their childhood.

This story was enjoyable. It did bring out the poisonous way that jealousy can fester, which was good, though I was surprised at the vicious way it came out!

Mistletoe and Miracles by Rachel J. Good – 

Though the romance in this story is between Daniel and Fern, the stars of the story, in my opinion, were Daniel’s Daed, Moses, and Lyddie, Fern’s daughter. I loved the way these two bonded over grief and shyness.

I really liked the way that the author brought out the fact that people in pain are often grumpy, not because they are mean but simply because they are hurting. It is so easy to overlook the reason and simply react to a person’s attitude. As believers, we are called to love and show grace, even when we don’t want to. Fern was such a great example of showing this in action.

Laura's Winter's Treasure Pinterest Board

(click here to go directly to the board on Pinterest)

Coconut Potato Fudge Recipe:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup plain, mashed potatoes, either instant or one medium potato, cooked
1/8 cup finely chopped (or crushed) almonds (optional)
3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup shredded coconut
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
3 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

• Beat powdered sugar and coconut into warm potatoes; then add the vanilla extract and almonds.
• Press into a lightly-greased 8-inch square pan; set aside.
• In a saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally. When melted, pour over top of the potato mixture.
• Refrigerate until set and then cut into squares.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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