Mornings with Jesus 2012
Daily Encouragement for your Soul – 366 Devotions
Devotions Written by: Judy Baer, Gwen Ford Faulkenberry, Tricia Goyer, Sharon Hinck, Keri Wyatt Kent, Erin Keeley Marshall, and Camy Tang
Published by Guideposts
377 pages
Source: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group for my participation in a virtual blog tour and book review.
About the Book:
“Be still and know that I am God.” is one of the most beautiful verses from the Bible, but it’s not easy to practice in this busy world. Mornings with Jesus will help you do just that—“be still” in Jesus’ beautiful and powerful presence. For those who are seeking a deeper experience in their relationship with Christ, Mornings with Jesus offers a fresh perspective of who Jesus is (the Healer, the Son of God, the Comforter, the Good Shepherd) and what that means for day-to-day life. With a warm and friendly voice, 365 short devotional writings on the character and teachings of Jesus encourage readers to greet each day by drawing near to Him and inviting His presence into their day. Spend time with Jesus at the beginning of each day and experience His nearness and peace in a new way throughout the year. Each day’s selection includes: • a Bible verse • an entry based on Jesus: His words, miracles, and parables; His wisdom, compassion, and comfort; His mystery, power, divinity, and humanity • a “faith step” that will inspire and challenge readers to apply the day’s message to their lives.
This beautiful devotional book is an invitation to begin your day with Jesus. Each devotion is a page long and begins with a short piece of scripture, a devotion from one of seven women writers relating to the verses, and ends with a Faith Step – a way for you to take action on that days scripture reference and devotion.
I have a story to tell about my experience with this book. First, the book was very delayed in getting to me because when I submitted my address to Litfuse Publicity Group (so they could send me a copy), my phone autocorrected my street name (I didn’t pay attention). Thus, I didn’t get the book until the beginning of February. When I got it, I read the first day’s devotion (I think it was February 4) and, I will be honest here, I completely forgot about the book. My mornings are crazy. I oversleep almost every morning and run around like a madwoman trying to get ready for work, so stopping to take time to read one of the devotions just has not worked for me. It is good in theory and I really want to do it; I just haven’t worked out that area of my life yet!
On February 16, I was having my typical morning – running late. But, I felt a prompting to open the devotional and read the day’s message. So, I did. Let me back up a second and say that God has been hounding me for quite a while now about getting down to the business of writing. I keep putting it aside, thinking “What do I have to add to what’s already out there?“, “Aren’t there already enough Christian writers out there?“, “What story do I need to be telling?“, and my personal favorite “Maybe I’m wrong about what I’m hearing about this writing thing.”
So, let me share what the February 16 devotion is:
“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19 (NIV)
Weary, beat-up and burned-out, I had reached a point where I was questioning everything. Especially the persistent whisper of God to write, of all things, Christian Books.
I was still the mom of young children. I had written one book, but wasn’t sure what was next. My husband was wondering why I didn’t find a job in PR or some other more lucrative form of writing. I was overcommitted at church and at my kids’ school – hemmed in by a fence I’d built myself.
On the advice of a mentor, I scheduled a day of solitude at a retreat center. I needed some time with Jesus, just the two of us.
I prayed, searching the Psalms for the comfort they always bring. I lingered in Psalm 18, making its laments my own, longing for its promises to be true. Needing fresh air, I took a walk, following a path through a small woodland, praying as I went. Don’t you have enough Christian book writers? I asked Jesus. I’m pretty busy.
The path through the woods led to a huge open field bordered on all four sides by ancient woods. I stood in that spacious place, which Jesus had brought me to. I listened, recalled the words I’d read. And believed – He delighted in me. I had been rescued by Jesus, who’d saved me for a purpose. Did I trust His calling? Could I rest in that spacious place, enjoy the fact that in spite of my questions and doubts, He delighted in me?
In that spacious place, god gave me a picture of what my life could be if I said no to all the things that cluttered it, so I could say yes to His purpose for me.
–Keri Wyatt Kent
Faith step: Is there an area in your life where you feel crowded by questions and doubts? Where you are questioning God’s calling? Ask Him to bring you to a spacious place, where you can feel His delight in you.
So, I stood there, literally shaking, mouth ajar. Sometimes I am just amazed at how real God is and how He makes himself known. I’ve been having doubts about writing and He gave me an answer. He keeps confirming to me, over and over, that this is what He wants me to do. I know this has nothing to do with a book review, but it was such a powerful moment for me, I wanted to share it with you.
This book is really wonderful. The readings are short, but are impactful. They allow you to start your day focusing on Jesus and His love for you. What a beautiful way to start your day! They give you something to meditate on and think about as you go through your day. You can also take the scripture reference and use it for more in-depth Bible study, at your leisure. I would definitely recommend this devotional book.
View the rest of the blog tour HERE.
Giveaway:
I have one copy of this devotional to give away to a reader in the USA!
Rules:
1. Fill out your name and e-mail address in the Contestmachine widget below.
2. The giveaway will end on February 27, 2012 at 11:59pm EST.
3. I will contact the winner at the conclusion of the giveaway. He/She will have 48 hours from the date of my email to contact me with his/her full name and mailing address. Failure to respond in the allotted time will forfeit the prize and a new winner will be selected.
4. I will mail directly to the winner. I am not responsible for lost or misdirected prize shipments. It is the winner’s responsibility to ensure that the information provided to me is accurate.
