Seriously God? + A Giveaway

Last spring, I read the book Seriously God? I’m Doing Everything I Know To Do and It’s Not Working, and it changed me.  I wrote about it here, and I have not forgotten how the author, Jenny Smith, acknowledged the “nothing’s working” reality by taking us directly to what and WHO makes all things work together.  She does this by walking through 7 statements Jesus made about Himself, that start with the words “I Am.”

These “I Am” statements are what stuck with me and changed me. (I wrote my own thoughts under each statement.)

I am the Bread of Life

I so appreciated this book, and I’m super excited that the author, Jenny Smith, has agreed to visit us here at New Nostalgia.  What an honor to have her written thoughts with us today!
//

From Author Jenny Smith~

As Christmas approached last year, I was in the midst of writing Seriously God? I’m Doing Everything I Know To Do and It’s Not Working. It had been an incredible hard couple of years, not months, but years. I know some of you are in the midst of the same kinds of struggles. I asked Amy if I could share a little of what happened as the knowledge of the ‘I Am’ statements of Jesus sank into my heart.

During the months of writing I started letting those ‘I Am’ statements shape my thinking instead of what the culture says, and my heart started changing. They are small baby steps, but they are change. I started having this desire to devote my life to Jesus instead of a life devoted to Jenny. My reality didn’t change. I knew Christmas last year was going to be tight—more than likely the smallest Christmas our family has had—but it was different. I wasn’t crying. I didn’t feel abandoned. I knew Jesus was watching over us and making sure we will have what we need to celebrate his birth. He is the Good Shepherd.

In addition to the financial stress, we had the normal family tensions over extended schedules, and all the other stresses of the Christmas season. Normally, I find myself at one of two extremes-crying or in a rage. Last year, though, was different. Even though the family didn’t change and we didn’t inherit a windfall, I knew Jesus was watching me closely as I walked out into the world every day. He knew my feelings would get hurt. He knew I would be walking around the mall with a firm budget and a list for the girls’ gifts, trying to make them match. Knowing he’s the Good Shepherd caused me to be able to not let those things fester but to bring them to him and let him tend them quickly. On Christmas night, Chad, my husband and I said this was the best Christmas we have had in a long time—a very long time. The only real difference was my heart. I’m began to see how winning the conflict raging in our hearts, has a very real impact on my daily life. In ways I could have never anticipated.

If you are approaching Christmas and feeling abandoned, or maybe you already are feeling your emotions take over, it doesn’t have to be that way this year! If we can get our hearts focused on Jesus
regardless of our circumstances, we will celebrate with joy the birth of our Savior!

//

So  good, but the goodness does not stop there.  Jenny is offering a free copy of her book to 2 of New Nostalgia’s readers.  We have had a giveaway of her book once before back in May, and it was one of our most popular giveaways! Good Luck!!