"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."~from ISAIAH 61 Bible verse for this Blog

APOLOGY to READERS who followed a SEARCH to HERE & didn't find it

On July 18, 2017, I drafted almost 3000 blog posts that I had published since 2008 when I began blogging, rather than edit each one. So if you clicked here from somewhere else and ended up with the post unavailable or error, I am sorry but this is why. It'd be too much work for me to go back and fix them. There's an explanation on 7/19/17 as I'm still learning.

Monday, December 2, 2013

"COFFEE TALK WITH JESUS" Intimate Chats with the Savior {a GIVEAWAY}!!!

"Coffee Talk with Jesus" 
Intimate Chats with the Savior
by Barbie Swihart
book cover white with shadow 1300x1300


Delicious and intimate? 
even for a non-coffee drinker like me

Have you ever just wanted to sit down across the table
and chat with Jesus about 'life'? 

Well, I have and often do

Thanks to this new author, Barbie Swihart, and this sweet aroma from her new book "Coffee Talk with Jesus" I have and do chat, just like in my prayers. It's as if Barbie knew exactly what I needed to hear from Jesus or wanted to chat with Him about, like one of my best friends, after all He is! Barbie giftedly shows us how to listen and hear Jesus speaking to us as they chat. 

As I read her initial conversations, I could sense Jesus actually saying this to me, similar to other books I love and treasure by Sheri Rose Shepherd and Sarah Young. If you know and love those writers, then you'll love Barbie as well. She has a gracious way of sharing what the Lord reveals to her precious heart to encourage her and each of us on our journeys. I found that indeed Jesus' words just seemed to wash over me as I read and waited with an expectant heart through each of the 31 short, yet ever so full chats with "words" of love and encouragement that were ever so real to me! I could visualize Jesus actually sitting there and speaking this to me right where I seemed to be. 

Most of Barbie's "chats" include an actual scripture from God's Word included in it or woven in her words as she pens them so beautifully and honestly. She walks us through "who we are in Christ" as we search together, talking it over with Jesus and realizing the Truths written in His Word are now being spoken to us in "chats" like: "You are loved"; "You are Free"; "You are Forgiven"; "You are Valued". I actually begin to feel like I am; and He gets me and my doubt, or insecurity, or any lack I have had or have. I really needed what Barbie wrote in "You are not a failure" (one I really have battled with) that I seemed to read at just the right moment for me. I can see myself going back to different ones at different times to be reminded of how Jesus sees me, loves me (anyways) and speaks to me intimately. 

Barbie expresses some of our heartfelt issues then walks us through a talk where Jesus actually reassures us by helping us, holding us, quieting our hearts, hearing us, believing in us, carrying us, tearing down our walls and setting us free to dream once again {each of these are actual chats in Barbie's book} that deeply touched and stirred my heart to listen more closely.

As I read these the first time (then again and once again), I knew that Barbie should turn these "chats" into a gift that would be lasting for many of us to go back to time and time again. It's a great gift for any occasion for any age woman (although her chats are directed to "My Child" or "My Beloved One" some are to "Daughter" but are actually suited to either gender in my opinion yet I'm not too sure men would appreciate it as much, however they too need to hear these messages more from Jesus). I especially love that Barbie has added 3 sweet "ingredients" to her book: recipes, reflection questions and a precious prayer.

I highly recommend this book as a wonderful companion to my last review "His Treasure..." because both books are noteworthy "gems" of how God cherishes us, speaks to us and in "Coffee Talk with Jesus", He actually sits down as we listen to His heart as He has listened and heard our very own heart then calls to us to delight, dream, trust, believe and rest.

Barbie has a gift of expressing simple truths with tender words and such a sweet aroma, not just from coffee, but from Barbie's penned life rising up to God with a Christlike fragrance (2 Cor. 2:15) and hopefully there are more books to come from this new author. 

***

* I received a free pdf copy of this book in exchange for my review. I am so delighted that I was given the privilege to write this review on Barbie Swihart's first book, "Coffee Talk with Jesus: Intimate Chats with the Savior". It's a gift that keeps on giving. 

Barbie can be found on Facebook and at her beautiful blog: My Freshly Brewed Life!  You can also check out others that have reviewed her book (perhaps *their giveaway will still be open too, to give you other chances to win):
Days & Thoughts
*Simply Striving
more posting today and this week
Running this thing called life
Laura Rath~Journey in Faith
Holly Barrett ~ Reclaiming a Redeemed Life
Melanie Wilson ~ Psycho with 6

GIVEAWAY Time:

She has also made a GIVEAWAY of her book available to ALL of you that leave a comment here and on her blog, as well as others to WIN an autographed soft copy. I will leave this open all this week, closing at midnight on Dec. 7th. Be sure that you leave your email or a way for me to get in touch with you if you're the winner.  Books will be mailed en masse to All the winners by December 15th

Whether you win or not, Barbie's book is well worth the fantastic low price and makes a great gift either in soft copy or on Kindle!!!

C'mon y'all
out of 107 visits so far to this
only this many entries
My question wasn't that hard.
Final countdown
clicking away
WAITING for the WINNER
who is
---

a Rafflecopter giveaway
need to notify me of the address you want the book sent
within 24 hours of notification
or
I have to pick again.

Monday, November 11, 2013

"HIS TREASURE..." is MY TREASURE


"His Treasure ... Gems of Love from Your King"
by Sheri Rose Shepherd

From the gorgeous front cover to each page by page, Sheri Rose Shepherd beautifully captures your heart with "gems of love from Your King" in her newest book, "His Treasure ..." once again she has penned beautiful love letters from God, this time reminding us of our priceless worth in Christ. 

"If you have ever struggled to find a way to connect your heart to your heavenly Father, "His Treasure" is the book for you. In the tradition of Sheri Rose Shepherd’s bestselling His Princess series (with over one million in print) comes this book of beautiful “love letters” from God that will remind you of your priceless worth in Christ. Each scriptural love letter is written in language that speaks to the heart of every woman. You’ll discover treasures of truth, real love, and wisdom from God’s Word. Get ready for an amazing encounter with your King!" - See more at: Tyndale Blog Network 

Since the first book I read written by Sheri Rose Shepherd, I have loved her style of writing these love letters from God to us, and in some, our response to Him. However, this "Treasure" seems to have been written specifically to encourage me right where I am at this point in my life and I bet that anyone who picks of this book would feel the same way(even men, if they overlook the feminine part) because Our Father speaks directly to us through her words that basically come from God's Word, the Bible, which is His love letter to each of us. 

Sheri Rose beautifully takes a scriptural truth and then writes from God's heart to our very own. I was touched as I paged through love letter after love letter of encouragement and comfort. In fact, the actual pages of the book (even in digital format) seem like an actual letter with the texture and the vintage manner in which they are illustrated (if that's the right word). Definitely a gift and a treasure that you may like to give a special person for Christmas, their birthday or any meaningful holiday! I know that I will return to "His Treasure ..." often when I need a lift or just a fresh word that I am often in need of hearing. 

Sheri Rose Shepherd is a gift and has a gift of presenting God's heart to us. She covers such content from opening with "His Love," and onto "His Encouragement," then "His Plan", to others among the hundred or so given like: "His Roadblocks", "His Bride", "His Masterpiece", "His Promise", "His Hope", "His Salvation", "His Answer to Prayer" and on and on. I had hoped to choose my favorite, but I can't, because they each are and will be a favorite on the day I (or you) read them when we need them just to be reminded that we are "His"! We are His Treasure and that is how you will feel as I did as I read each one. 

Each love letter also captures one "treasure of truth" framed from the letter and the scripture that goes with that love letter. Perfect! I wish my words could convey how precious this little "gem" really is ... yes, I say "little" because it is small enough to fit in your purse or bible yet the letters are large enough to be able to read these "treasures" whenever you have a spare moment or need a word of renewal from God that are spoken to you as "My Beloved Daughter" (that's the part men would have to overlook) but also some are addressed to "My Child" (which would include them) making this small package a grand gift. That is what every page is for me, "His Treasure ... " and a "gem of His love" written to me, touching my heart through Sheri Rose Shepherd's inspirational ability to reach me as she will you as she does in every one of her books, but this one is the best to me so far! 

Have you ever held a rare gem in your hand or seen one up close and personal? Let me assure you that this will be similar to that experience as you read and allow God's Word to be held by you like a rare gem, up close and very personal, is how this book will touch you. 


Disclosure of material connection:
I received this book free from the publisher Tyndale House through the book review blogger's program with Tyndale Blog Network. 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 FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255

*My other blog posts for this month of November will follow below this one!
I am trying to keep it on top

since I do not want to ever bury
"HIS TREASURE..."
this is one worth keeping
that I most certainly would DIG for however if it was buried.

God's Word written especially to my heart, 
carved on my heart and in my mind
indelibly.

This is one GIFT that I will TREASURE forever!
I wrote a personal PREVIEW to this Review back here.




*Plus this book was/is suppose to be part of a Blog Tour and since I am new to Tyndale and Blog Tours, I had no idea what or when or how I was suppose to do it, other then publish my review on my site. So if anyone reading this knows, please let me know, thanks! 

IMPORTANT update:I still do not know all the details of a "Book Blog Tour" yet, but I have learned that part of it, is A GIVEAWAY of this book. I will need your address, if you are selected, so be sure if you comment to include your email so I can contact you about your address (most comments are connected to your email if you are signed in to Google acct., I think). My official date to publish this should be Nov. 11th, 2013(I will keep this at the top of my blog until then, so chances to win will close at midnight that date). Thanks Tyndale for the blessing! Tyndale is in charge of mailing "His Treasure..." to the blessed winner! I will let you know via email, if you are chosen when I forward your address to them. 

TO READ my NOVEMBER (1-10) NAMES of GOD THANKSGIVING posts, please scroll down to the next one listed below after they publish!





To my faithful visitors;
all of you who spend your valuable time here with me
I do appreciate you so much!

Thank you for taking your time to visit!

Love, Sweet blessings & Hugs!

DIOS TE BENDIGA
GOD BLESS YOU

always

Peggy