by Misty Phillip | Oct 16, 2016 | Christian Living, Faith
A few weeks ago I suffered a concussion, and my world came to a screeching halt! The effects of the concussion required me to spend days laying still in the quiet and darkness of my bedroom. I suffered from a headache, dizziness, ringing in my ears, nausea, light and sound sensitivity. I hit my head getting on the car, on my right temple. The impact was so hard that a small piece of the squishy eye gel at the back of my left eye pulled away from the retina. I was a mess.
I was completely overwhelmed by light and sound. The only thing I could do was quietly lay still on my bed. As I lay there, Psalm 46:10 ran through my mind.
“Be still, and know that I am God.“
That verse is easy to quote, but so much harder to do, for someone like myself. Life is so busy, and we rarely have the opportunity to be still. It is during this difficult dark time in my life that the beautifully crafted book by Jennifer Rothschild, 66 Ways God Loves You, arrived in my mailbox.
God’s timing for this book in my life could not have been any more perfect! As I began recovering from my concussion, I started reading this beautiful love story from Jennifer’s perspective. It is the story of how God loves me and you, through each book of the bible. What God wanted me to know, was that I was not alone in this trial. In the midst of my suffering, God was there with me. He Loves me more than I can possibly imagine, and He loves you too!
The heart for this book came from when Jennifer Rothschild’s world fell apart when she was 15 years old, and became blind due to a retinal disease. The red leather bible given to her by her Grandma Sarah taught Jennifer that God loved her with an everlasting love, and that is what has sustained her through the difficulties of navigating in this world as a blind woman.
“From Genesis to Revelation, you’ll see how much you matter to God. As you read through the history and poetry in the Old Testament books, you’ll be reminded that God knows you and loves you no matter what. As you experience the Gospels and letters in the New Testament, you’ll feel how his love challenges and Changes you.” -Jennifer Rothschild
Jennifer Rothschild introduces each book of the Bible by showing the reader how God loves us through each book. This charming book is both visually pleasing, filled with timeless truths and is nourishing to the soul. Each Chapter introduces a book of the Bible with a lovely script surrounded by a beautiful floral design, such as:
In Leviticus… God Grants Me Access to Him
In Joshua… God Gives Me Divine Purpose
In Judges… God Shows Mercy in Spite of My repeated Failures
In 1 Samuel… God Anoints me with His Spirit
In John… God Gives Me Everlasting Love
In Ephesians… God Lavishes Me with Grace
Each Chapter contains a short, but powerful commentary on God’s love through each book of the Bible, making this a wonderful devotional. This charming hardcover book is filled with beautiful floral illustrations and would make a great stocking stuffer or Christmas gift, but also makes a great addition to your personal library.
I am so excited to share a copy of this lovely little book with one of my blog readers! To be eligible to win, leave a comment below with your favorite book of the Bible, or by sharing a way that God has shown his love to you recently.
In 66 Ways God Loves You: Experience God’s Love for You in Every Book of the Bible (Thomas Nelson, October, 2016) by Jennifer Rothschild, Jennifer explains how the Bible is a love letter to all of us!
As a grown blind woman, Jennifer says, “No matter how I experience the Bible, it always has the same effect on me. One profound, unavoidable, irreducible, soul-quaking effect—I feel the love of God.”
This is the message Jennifer shares with people all over the country. Jennifer has been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, Today’s Christian Woman, Billy Graham Evangelical Association’s yearly television special, Dr. Phil, Life Today, and the Women of Faith tour. Jennifer has also written several other books where she has shared her testimony and God’s love for us, His children.
Be sure to check out Jennifer’s website jenniferrothschild.com , there you will find more encouragement from Jennifer. If you sign up to receive her blog posts via e-mail, you will get a FREE copy of my 66 Ways God Loves You – 8.5 x 11 Frameable Art.
May God lavish you with His everlasting Love!! – Much Love, Misty
by Misty Phillip | Oct 13, 2016 | Christian Living, Featured, Lifestyle
Our homes should be a place of refuge and protection from the world, a sanctuary. Home should be a place where we can relax, renew and recharge. “There is no place like home” is an expression for a reason. As women, we have an incredible opportunity to make our homes a refuge from the world for both our family and for our guests.
The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down. – Proverbs 14:1 ESV
A wise woman is careful to build her home. Making our homes a place of beauty that reflects our personal taste is one of the greatest joys as a homemaker.
What are some practical ways that a wise woman can build her home?
This is my favorite time of the year. I cherish the art of hospitality and making my home a sanctuary. Over the course of the next few months, I would like to invite you into my home via the blog and share the beauty of the season with you.
I love to create beautiful flower arrangements, and seasonal decor to spruce things up and to keep it fresh. Pictured below is a floral arrangement in my dining room.
Pictured above is a lovely little vignette for fall on my butler’s pantry.
[ctt template=”2″ link=”EaFXB” via=”yes” ]Creating a beautiful home that refreshes requires engaging all our senses.[/ctt]
We love playing musical instruments and listening to music. In fact, we have a dedicated music room in our home and have been known to pull out all our instruments when having friends over for dinner.
[ctt template=”2″ link=”J2MH0″ via=”yes” ]The type of music that you listen to within your home has a profound effect on the atmosphere of your home.[/ctt]
The kitchen is my happy place, and I love to create beautiful memories through food with family and friends. Making fresh home-cooked healthy meals is a joy for me, but even store-bought food can be presented beautifully with a little imagination and creativity. Pictured below is crusty sourdough bread with brie and an assortment of antipasto.
I love diffusing essential oils, lighting candles, or fresh baking goodies to create a beautiful aroma that is pleasing to our sense of smell. Even a basket filled with potpourri can invigorate our senses.
I would love to know what you are doing to make your home a beautiful refuge from the world!
by Misty Phillip | Oct 7, 2016 | Christian Living, Faith, She Speaks
Everyone suffers. Unfortunately, suffering is a part of this world. If you are not suffering now, you have either suffered in the past or will suffer in the future. Suffering is an unpleasant but necessary part of life. When you suffer, where do you turn? Your perspective is everything!
Jesus was a man acquainted with suffering. Over and over in the New Testament the Greek word for suffering, πάσχω (paschō), is used in reference to Jesus. Here are a few examples of the many references to Jesus and suffering in the New Testament.
suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised – Matthew 16:21
So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands – Matthew 17:12
the Son of Man must suffer many things – Mark 8:31
how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things -Mark 9:12
The Son of Man must suffer many things – Luke 9:22
But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation -Luke 17:25
These are just a few verses in reference to suffering and Jesus. It is important to understand that Jesus suffered. This enabled Jesus to be a sympathetic High Priest. He understands the difficulty of living in a fallen and sinful world firsthand. Jesus came to earth was despised, rejected, and suffered crucifixion on our behalf.
What should our response to suffering be? We should boldly draw near to Jesus. He is our High Priest, who is acquainted with our suffering in order that we may receive mercy and grace.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:15-16
When you suffer, you have a choice. You can choose to become bitter or angry or you can choose to cast your cast your cares on Jesus, and abide in His mercy, grace and unending love. Aren’t you glad to know that Jesus understands our suffering? He loves us, and cares for us. Will you trust him with your suffering today?
For more posts like this Choose Joy!
Recent Comments