a review - His Treasure: Gems of Love from Your King

This week's review of His Treasure: Gems of Love from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd was an easy one.  It's a sweet little book filled with encouraging words straight from Scripture that are meant to remind daughters of the High King that they are valued and esteemed.

The format is very appealing -- set with pretty pictures of girly-treasure on words written on 'parchment' -- the pages go back and forth between passages of Scripture to sweet notes from the Father.  It's definitely written for the feminine reader.

The author, Sheri Rose, has a number of titles to her credit and she does a marvelous job of communicating God's love and esteem for His children.

The book is small -- to fit perfectly by your bed for that "first thing in the morning" (or last thing in the evening?) pep talk -- or perhaps in your desk drawer at work, for when you need a little help in "overcoming" -- or need something to focus on while you count to ten! It's also perfect for gift-giving.

I found it to be thoroughly Scripture-based, honest and encouraging and enjoyed reading through it.  I would definitely recommend it to others.  I have a copy to give away, so if you're interested, let me know in a comment and I'll pick a winner on Tuesday.

:)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale Publishers,
 as part of their Blogger Review 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.

what's in a word . . .

Or in my case, a set of words.  I knew, as soon as I saw the call out for this particular hop, that I wanted to participate.   I love words!  Words are incredibly important to me.  But then I struggled for weeks trying to figure out what word/words I should use.

Duh.

It finally struck me.  The name of my blog.  Hello!  Count it *all* JOY!!!

For me, this became an exercise not in coming up with a quilty project, but an explanation of why those words are so important to me.  And they're important not just because of those four words ... but because of the thirty-two words that follow, too . . .

Count it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.

 --James 1:2-4

This passage of scripture out of James has been my life verse ... but I selected it long before I understood the full implications of it.  At first I got all hung up on the joy part . . . 

Without paying attention to the "count it all" part.  

That's tough.  And it took me a while to realize that I didn't have to count the hard stuff as joyful stuff -- I didn't have to laugh and be merry in times of sorrow -- it meant that I was to count it a joy when that hard stuff caused me to lean on the Lord.  When it caused me to seek His strength, peace and comfort.  Because that's how He perfects me ... that's how He strengthens my faith.  And that's why I can Count it *all* JOY!!!

So, there you have it!!  Be sure to check out all the 'word' participants today . . . 

Jane's Fabrics (Jane R.)

Jane's Quilting (Jane C.)

Nuts 4 Redwork (Heide W.)

Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio (Cherry G.)

Bits and Pieces (Martha R.)

Life in Every Breath (Jennifer B.)

Quilting Lines (Patricia L.)

Travel Thru Greece (Mara)

Meadowbrook  (Kristen K.)

Count It All Joy!  (Denise P.)**you are here!

Sophie Junction (Sophie W.)

And a big thank you to both Linda, from Buzzing and Bumbling -- our head cheerleader for this hop -- and Mdm Samm.  They've both done a *marvelous* job with this hop and it's been SUCH fun!!

:)

day of rest . . .

Although I hate to admit it, Sundays are typically anything but restful days! We get up and rush around trying to get ready for church (and even just with the two of us, one of us is still doing a lot of rushing), we grab a bite to eat afterwards, today we hit the grocery store (which was a treat for me -- first time in my Publix since before the surgery), and then headed back to the camp. Todd put up groceries (with my help and direction) and now we're setting in to get ready for next week. Namely, a Sunday School display board for the Madison Baptist Association's annual meeting on Tuesday. Todd's the MBA's Sunday School director, so he's responsible for handling that booth.

Regardless of how busy we get in doing stuff, I'm grateful for the peace that passes all understanding in my soul. Brother Randy preached out of 1 Timothy this morning; some of my all-time favorite verses have come from Paul's letters to young Timothy. This morning preaching held two . . . thought I'd share them here (which allows me to linger over them just a little longer today) . . .

"But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith . . ." 1 Timothy 6:11-12a

And the second wasn't really in Brother Randy's text, but it followed -- and in fact closes out -- the Scriptures he read . . .

"O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called 'knowledge' . . ." 1 Timothy 6:20

Timothy was so lucky to have the apostle Paul as his mentor. And I'm so grateful Paul's letters were preserved and included in God's Word for me!

All of that and I'll end on a laugh, because I am laughing right now. I looked over at Todd, who'd just sat down with the Sunday paper. On the back of the sports section he's holding, I see a HUGE headline reading, "TRENT-TACULAR". Roll Tide, baby.

Maybe I *might* can squeeze a little nap in.

:)