Essentials for Life.......A Giveaway

I have the privilege of receiving complimentary books of my choosing from Thomas Nelson from time to time in exchange for my thoughts and reviews of those books. It occurred to me that it would be lovely to 'pay it forward' and share those books with you once I have fulfilled my commitment.

These are my impressions, thoughts and reactions to Essentials for Life by Marcia Ford. First and foremost, this is a book that is wonderfully suited to a daily devotional type read. It is organized in such a way that you can open it and go when time is not laying out endlessly in front of you. Concise 2-3 pages chapters like Extend Grace to Everyone, Catch a Glimpse of Eternity or Enlarge Your Sphere of Influence are wonderful ways to give your heart something to process as you go through the day. It is rich with scripture references and quotes to get you thinking - I love it when the written word compels me to dig, search and seek things of God on a deeper level, don't you? The book is subtitled 'Your Back-to-Basics Guide to What Matters Most', which is does an admirable job of getting your focus on. This is a book filled with little gems that you can take out and enjoy in your quiet time each day, but that will stay with you well beyond that portion of your day. Throughout the book each chapter includes a sidebar entitled "Interesting to Note...One of the most important steps you can take in dealing with your past is forgiving yourself. Numerous studies on forgiveness have shown that people who forgive themselves heal more quickly from emotional trauma than those who do not. That includes victims, who seemingly have no need to forgive themselves." Each of these entries are paired with a scripture, in this particular example Psalm 74:12 AMP reads Let now the downtrodden return in shame; let the oppressed and needy praise your name. Each chapter concludes with "What's Essential" and goes on to list 2 do's and 2 don'ts that apply. This is a wonderful book to have in your quiet time place and to work through as the Lord leads you.
If you would like to have my copy in your quiet time place, please leave a comment for one entry or follow me for an addtional entry and I will draw the winner randomly a week today on March 16th.
Bonne chance mes amis ;-)

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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.”