Mornings with Jesus 2012 (Review & Giveaway)

It’s still dark.  The house is cold.  Morning has come too early for me, but my early bird toddler is ready for her Cheerios and banana.  I get her settled down with that and fix my own cup of Irish Breakfast tea.  I can’t think about food this early.  I sigh as I consider what is ahead for the day, already counting the hours until bedtime.  Truthfully, this night owl can barely think at all at 5 am, but morning comes whether I'm ready or not so I'm determined to make the best of it.  Of course the best start to any day is to spend some quiet time with the Lord.  Even if only for a few minutes before the chaos of the day takes over, that peaceful refill of the Holy Spirit is my essential breakfast for the soul.

This new year finds me reading Mornings with Jesus 2012, a daily devotional from Guideposts written by Tricia Goyer, Sharon Hinck, Judy Baer, Gwen Ford Faulkenberry, Keri Wyatt Kent, Erin Keeley Marshall, and Camy Tang.  Each day's reading includes a Bible verse, a short personal story in relation to the verse from one of the seven authors, and a "faith step," which is usually a question to consider, a prayer, or an action step to take in your faith walk.

Most devotionals I've read are "generic" dates rather than dated specifically for the year.  The date at the top of the page actually reads Friday, February 10, today for instance, instead of Day 40 or just plain February 10th.  I tend to read my daily devotionals year after year, so these day/dates won't match up next year, but that won't stop me from reading it again.  There are some real gems in this book.  I also tend to find more details that I missed the first time reading through it, or some other topics might apply more in a different year.  Over the past month, God has definitely used this devotional to speak to my heart in unexpected ways.

". . . I often miss out on joy because I let my focus wander off track.  Perspective is a powerful thing, isn't it?  For good or bad, we choose how we see the world.  Perspective can be an asset or a liability to our health, relationships, work, even our spirituality.  Especially our spirituality.  Jesus is the great perspective-shifter."

This is a quote from Erin Keeley Marshall in the February 9th entry.  It especially spoke to me as something I've been pondering for a few weeks.  I actually have a blog post saved all about focus and perspective, but I haven't published it yet.  This really confirmed some thoughts for me, as if Jesus was letting me know that He had intended me to read this devotional at this particular time.

"I have a confession.  I often wonder what God is up to . . .  I can relinquish my will, knowing He has the perfect plan.  When I look to Him I don't need to worry about getting my hopes up.  Believing in Him, I will  never be disappointed."

Tricia Goyer's entry from February 6th talks about trusting God's timetable and plan, rather than our own, and allowing Him to work miracles in our lives.  This is something I need to remember when I'm frustrated and discouraged that things aren't going according to my plan.  It's a lesson He has shown me over and over by making His intervention clear.  When I think about all He has done in my life, I feel foolish for worrying and wanting things my own way.

My copy is already dog-eared and highlighted and it's only February!  From reminders to take Jesus at His word and trust, to encouragement for stressed out moms who need an extra dose of patience to get through the day, to accepting the unconditional love of Jesus and sharing it with others, this devotional has become an important part of my mornings with Him.

You can read about the ways this devotional is impacting other bloggers on the Litfuse tour at this link.

Could you use some encouragement as you start each new day?  Do you want to be reminded to spend your mornings with Jesus to get off to the right start?  You can win a brand new copy of Mornings with Jesus 2012 right here!  To enter, just leave a comment and let me know that you'd like to win.  For extra entries, you can do the following (be sure to leave a comment for each):

1. Leave a comment telling me your favorite Bible verse.
2. Follow my blog with GFC (if you already follow, leave a comment to let me know)
3. Follow me on Twitter (if you already follow, leave a comment to let me know)

Entries close on Feb. 17th at midnight.  I will choose a winner with Random.org and notify him/her by email.  Please be sure to leave a way to contact you or I'll have to draw another winner.  US Residents only, please.


Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of Mornings with Jesus 2012 for the purpose of review.  No other compensation was received for my honest opinion.