Fresh-brewed Life – Take a Pass

I was excited at the prospect of reading Nicole Johnson’s book “Fresh-brewed Life”.  I had seen her at Women of Faith and hoped to be inspired and touched by her book as I had been by her dramatic performances.


My expectations were soon dashed as I worked my way through “Fresh-brewed Life”. The book is about the work and changes Nicole made in her life to help her overcome her painful past.  However, I didn’t connect with the author and found it a chore to finish reading the book. 


Instead of offering something fresh and new a “Fresh-brewed Life” is filled with secular psychology and has a little bit of scripture thrown in for good measure.  God seems to be another resource to help fill our needs rather than the One Whom we worship and give an account.   


What I found most troubling is Nicole’s views didn’t align with scripture at times.  The most grievous example is on pages 58 and 59 where she describes and encounter with a woman who came to speak with her at a conference.  Sandra came and asked Nicole to pray for her because she was having an affair.  Nicole shared some of the details on what drove this woman to have an affair.  At no time during this exchange did Nicole tell this woman that what she is doing is wrong before God.  Instead she asked Sandra to tell how this man made her feel and counseled her that she needed to better understand her longings and take them to God.  At no time were the words sin and repentance mentioned.  The saddest sentence in the book, “I don’t know what happened with Sandra’s marriage or whether or not she ended her affair with Jerry.”  


“Fresh-brewed Life” is not entirely without merit.  I liked the chapter on friendships.  There were a few things throughout the book that were insightful.  However, overall the author seemed very self-centered instead of Christ exalting and off base scripturally.  Therefore, I do not recommend this 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.”

Thank you Troops & Veterans

Wishing the men and women of our military and their families a very Merry Christmas.  I thank you for your service to this nation and for the sacrifice that you and your family make so that we can remain a free country.


Thank you Lloyd at Solid Rock or Sinking Sand for sharing this tribute to our military.

Silent Night by Mannheim Steamroller

Hark the Harold Angels Sing

You Shall Call Him Jesus

Mary, a virgin conceived a Child

By the power of the Holy Spirit

Joseph a righteous and compassionate man

Decided to end their betrothal privately

Then an angel of the Lord appeared 

Commanded Joseph to fear not

Take Mary as your wife

That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit

She shall bring forth a Son, you shall call Him Jesus 

For He shall save His people from their sins

In this, the Lord fulfilled the prophesy of old

Isaiah 7:14

A virgin shall conceive a child, and bear a Son

His name shall be called Immanuel, God with us

Then Joseph awaken

Did as the Lord commanded 

He took Mary as his wife and did not know her

Until after the birth of her firstborn 

The virgin born Son, conceived of the Holy Spirit

His name is Jesus for He shall save His people from their sin

By Susan Wachtel

December 21, 2011

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.  20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” 


22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:  23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 


24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,  25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.   And he called His name JESUS. - Matthew 1:18-25

PM Netanyahu's Christmas Greetings

The God Margin

It’s time to step out
Face impossible circumstance
Dare to be out numbered 450 to 1
Stand and see what the LORD will do
When the trumpet blows
Enemies will flee and victory is certain
In the God margin

by Susan Wachtel
December 11, 2011

So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just as they had posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers that were in their hands.  Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers—they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing—and they cried, “The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!”   And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled.   When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the LORD set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath. –Judges 7:19-22

Five Minute Friday: Color This Week Over

Color this week over, I’m glad it’s done.  It was a hard week, a challenging week in many ways: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  It left me feeling blue.  I did some wrestling with God this week in prayer.  There were tears shed.  I wondered if my prayers did any good.  It seems I pray and pray and pray, but it comes to naught.  Right about then God does a big work in the life of someone I’ve been praying for.  It kind of feels like a poke in the chest and God saying, “See I hear your prayers and I do answer them, but in My time frame and according to My plan.” 

After struggling with prayer today, I realized that it was the enemy trying to discourage me.  When I got a hold of that…I prayed those faithful prayers, that Lord willing He will answer.  Especially the prayers for the salvation of my family and friends, Lord willing.


This post is being linked to 5-Minute Friday, where you simply write for 5 minutes without worrying if it's right or not.  

Daughter of the King

My precious one
You are a daughter of the King
Too often you forget Whose you are

I bought and paid for you
With the precious blood of My Son
Adopted you as one of My own

When you go out into the world
Remember you are My ambassador
To a lost and dying world.

Go forth in My strength, not your own
Sow My peace where there is discord
Show My lavish grace and mercy to all, just as I did to you

When you feel overwhelmed
Remember you can do all things
Through Christ who strengthens you

I never meant for you to do this alone
That’s why I gave you a guarantee
The Holy Spirit of promise Who resides within you

Wash and nourish your soul each day
Through the reading of My word
Stay in constant communication with Me through prayer

Remember dear one
You are a daughter of the King of kings
A daughter of grace


Susan Wachtel
December 3, 2011


Dedicated to the sons and daughters of our heavenly Father who sometimes forget Whose they are.