God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea by Rose Chandler Johnson -- Book Tour Review + Author Interview + Giveaway

Singing Librarian Books

God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea by Rose Chandler Johnson -- Book Tour Review + Author Interview + Giveaway

10/3/2016

Genre: Devotional Journal, Non-fiction, Christian

Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

Publication date: July 11, 2013

Number of pages: 184

"In fifty-plus concise, focused, appealing, and penetrating meditations on scriptural passages, this book offers in-sights and challenges applied to 21st-century American life. The voice is original, unyielding and gentle, guiding, asking the readers to turn from busy-ness to consider, confront, and appreciate God in ourselves, in others, and beyond us and to be able to bring the divine to our scattered, tormented, and troubled planet. This book is surely a true gift of the spirit." -- Dr. Laura Dabundo, Inspirational-Religious Judge for the Georgia Author of the Year Awards

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Rose’s devotional journal, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments won the Georgia Author of the Year Finalist Award in 2014. It was also awarded the Selah Finalist Award in the same year. Rose enjoys writing for her blog, Write Moments with God and engaging with her readers. My Father’s House, published in March 2016, is her first novel. A native Georgian, Rose has lived in a suburb of Augusta for the last thirty years. Before retiring from Georgia’s public school system, Rose taught English, French, and ESOL. She is currently an adjunct English instructor at a community college. In addition to reading and writing, Rose enjoys cooking, sewing, gardening, and spending time with her six children and their growing families. And yes, sweet iced tea is her beverage of choice.

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Check out the interview with the author HERE.

Perfect Peace

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trust in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

I visited the home improvement store recently and enjoyed the background music as I browsed the aisles. The cashier was listening too, because as I checked out, she actually started singing the lyrics of the catchy tune filling the airwaves.
            That’s when it got stuck in my head. I first noticed it as I waited at the traffic light. I was singing it in my mind. By the time I got to the grocery store, I was singing it out loud. It wasn’t even a song I liked. That wasn’t the end of it. It happened again the next day, and the next. When I started writing this, it happened again.
            Do you know what I mean? Have you ever had a song stuck in your head that wouldn’t go away? Maybe you heard it on the radio, in church, or in the grocery store, and it played over and over like a broken record.
            Unfortunately, negative thoughts, self-doubts, painful memories, and worry can get stuck in our minds as well. Even though we don’t like it, those negative thoughts can play over and over again, causing us to lose our peace. For our mental and spiritual health, it’s important to control our thoughts.
            In Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV), Paul gives us a list: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
            Could he have been any more direct? Here we have God’s will in simple terms. Paul said think about such things. I like the promise he gives:  The God of peace will be with you.

Suggested Readings: Psalm 19:14; Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Philippians 4:8-9
Journaling Considerations: Make a list of some negative thoughts that have worried you lately.
List the eight things Paul tells us to think about.
Prayer:  Dear Lord, as the Psalmist said, “May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in your sight.” Help me bring every thought into conformity to your will. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Today’s Sweet Tea Moment: When I am preoccupied with stormy thoughts and worries, I will fix my mind on the One who calms the storm.
Prayer Focus: Those tormented by unholy thoughts.

Favorite scripture: Proverbs 4:18
Favorite dessert: Cream cheese pound cake
Favorite author: Oswald Chambers
Favorite ice cream place: Baskin Robbins
Favorite comic book character: X-Men
Favorite candy: Pralines
Favorite vacation location: France
Favorite fruit: Apple
Favorite soda: Ginger ale
Favorite movie: Just Like Heaven

Like that small boy’s loaves and fishes, my talents and offerings are meager, yet when they’re given over into Jesus’ hands to bless and to do with as He wills, miracles happen. Jesus’ blessings ensure that needs will be met. All I have to do is approach Him in faith, with a willing heart and open hands. I may not see the results, but they are guaranteed. My time, my talents, my life—when given to Jesus to bless and use in His service—can satisfy a multitude of hungry souls.

Rose Chandler Johnson’s devotional Got, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea, is a delightful inspirational and influential read. The book has several chapters of inspirational and though provoking ideas. Following each chapter there is a section that includes suggested scripture reading, a journal consideration, a prayer, a daily sweet tea moment, and a prayer focus. These sections are to get readers to focus on the topic in each chapter and think deeper. I would recommend this devotional to readers that want to delve deeper and become closer to God.

Genre: Devotional Journal, Non-fiction, Christian
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Publication date: July 11, 2013
Number of pages: 184

Content Rating: G
Book Rating: 4 stars