Several months ago, I wrote a post on solving the problem of pain. In it, I talk about the idea of personal creativity and its direct connection to helping heal the wounds of others. Musicians play instruments. Singers sing. Bakers bake. Teachers teach. Planners plan. And writers… well we write. We give our words to others in hopes that something we’ve written might resonate with readers in a positive way, thus fostering heart health—body, soul, and spirit.
Lisa Shaw is one such writer, and she delivers a message of healing in her first book release, You are Beautiful in God’s Eyes. I’ve read the book through a few times now, even keeping it on my nightstand. Why? Well, I like the cover. Seeing Lisa’s beautiful smile reminds me of the loving investments she’s made into my heart over the years. Secondly, I keep her book handy because every word contained within is a continual reminder for me to look beyond the flawed perceptions I harbor about myself and, instead, to begin to see myself as God sees me.
Beautiful. Created by God’s hand. Thought about. Considered. In God’s image. On God’s heart.
Indeed, a message easily forgotten by me on days when I’m tempted by the enemy to focus solely on my imperfections. Each chapter in Lisa’s book rings with a clarion call to get back to the basics… back to the beginning when Father God sat with the idea of me on the front side of Genesis and called me very good. The idea of me when he walked his Son to a bloody grave. The idea of me when he walked his Son out from the grave and into the folds of heaven. The idea of me when he sent his Spirit to dwell in the hearts of his people. The idea of me when he tucked my life inside the safety of my mother’s womb. The idea of me some forty-five years later when it’s sometimes easy to forget that I’m still God’s very good idea… warts and all.
Perhaps you understand. Perhaps there are seasons when you’re easily swayed by personal opinion rather than God’s opinion. Times when you let down your spiritual guard to entreat the lies of the enemy that label you to a lesser degree than God’s very good. If that’s you (and it’s certainly been me), then You are Beautiful in God’s Eyes is a good starting point for redefining who you are in Jesus Christ.
Lisa writes like Lisa lives—authentically and passionately for the kingdom cause. She is a strong encourager of God’s people and an even stronger advocate for the transforming work of God’s Word. Lisa doesn’t let her readers off the hook easily. She calls for greater discipleship on the part of her readers, a willingness to dig deeply for the “beautiful” that belongs to each one of us as God’s children. I am grateful for her deliberate prod and for her obedience to take the Father’s message to the world. In doing so, she is helping to solve the problem of pain.
Thank you, Lisa, for writing these words. You are beautiful in God’s eyes and in mine. As always…
Peace for the journey,
elaine
PS: For a chance to win a copy of Lisa’s book, please leave me a comment expressing your interest. In addition to Lisa’s book, the winner will receive a set of Cindy’s handmade note cards as beautifully promoted at her Etsy shop.
Please take time to review Cindy’s craftsmanship and let me know some of your favorites. She, too, helps to solve the problem of pain with her creativity! The winner of Lisa’s book and Cindy’s note cards will be announced with my next post. Shalom.
I'm in. How could I not be? I love Lisa Shaw….what a beautiful woman of God. And those adorable note cards! Yep, include me!!
Good morning…I have read Lisa's blog before and even exchanged a couple of emails with her and know her to be such a genuine woman of God with an enormous heart. I knew she had written a book, but I have not read it and would just love to. Honestly, I know I should read it. I do so have a problem in this area. So please include me in the drawing. Oh, and I just love Cindy's work too. I have received some of her note cards in the past…they are sooo pretty. Have a good day Elaine! HUGS
Include me in this! I would love to win Lisa's book.
I like the pink heart notecards you have pictured above. 🙂
Lisa plus beautiful note cards? Count me in, please! 🙂
ABSOLUTELY in for this. Lisa is a treasure, and I know her book can be no less.
Elaine,
I am deeply humbled by every word you wrote and very appreciative that you would share the book on your blog with your friends and readers.
I continue to walk amazed and in awe of the testimonies, stories and heart-words that people have shared with me locally and on-line who have read the book. I give GOD all the glory for His hand is on it.
I cried when you wrote: "…back to the beginning when Father God sat with the idea of me on the front side of Genesis and called me very good. The idea of me when he walked his Son to a bloody grave. The idea of me when he walked his Son out from the grave and into the folds of heaven. The idea of me when he sent his Spirit to dwell in the hearts of his people. The idea of me when he tucked my life inside the safety of my mother’s womb. The idea of me some forty-five years later when it’s sometimes easy to forget that I’m still God’s very good idea… warts and all." I cried because you spoke my heart in this paragraph. I'll just replace forty-five with forty-six 🙂
I appreciate the comments above of all the precious ladies! The support from the on-line community (those whom I know and don't know) has been MORE than I could have asked.
My joy is knowing that God is being glorified and His Daughters are being touched and blessed by Him.
Thank you again Elaine! I count it an honor that you, whose heart and writing I greatly respect and admire, have been encouraged in my little book.
Love and blessings!
And Cindy's note cards are beautiful!
Count me in. Great giveawy.
I just left a comment and it went away, so I'll try it again and hope it doesn't enter twice.
Please leave my name off of the drawing, as I already have Lisa's book, and read it the day it arrived. I also have some of Cindy's beautiful cards, which so far have not been sent to anyone, I have selfishly hoarded them!!
To your readers, I would just add… if you don't win this, just get Lisa's book! It will bless you and encourage you, and remind you of who your Father is, and who you are because you are His! It is such a stamp of approval on being a woman, and being beautiful in God's eyes. And while you're at it, get Elaine's book, Peace for the Journey. It reads as her blog does, full of truth, challenging, encouraging, and deeply insightful. Just think of it… here are 2 women, gifted by God, and they have both written books that are right up there with anything you will find in the christian book store, anything! AND… they are our blogging friends!
I have both books right on my bookcase in my office. Both of you bless me every time I read, and I love you dearly! 🙂
Hi Elaine, I was so glad to read your post today, because I also love Lisa's heart. I haven't read her message but as one who grew up with a mom who couldn't nuture me and shower me with the love I needed, I often had difficulty accepting the Father's love for me. Thank you for your generous give away. May He richly bless you and you continue to share life in Him.
Hugs & love, Noreen
I'm in! The books sounds wonderful and the note cards are beautiful.
Marita
Thanks for that great review of Lisa's book. I would love to have it. Thanks for the nice giveaway. Blessings ~
Pain…one of those topics that touch us all either physically or spiritually…prayers for her book.
Cindy's cards are adorable; i especially like her gift tags, how sweet are they?!! Count me in, too!
God Bless…
it's raining and cold here…lots of fog today but supposed to be as high as 64* tomorrow.
I love dear Lisa, she is definitely one of my heart blessings, I know her book must be truly awesome. Cindy's work is beautiful, bless you my friend, love you bunches.
Elaine,
I would love to have Lisa's book. I hang on to these verses from Colossians 1:
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
I must remember how God looks at me!
Love and prayers!
What a wonderful Give-a-way! I would love to read Lisa's book! And the those notecards would not last long in my house!!! They would be quickly on their way to bless others!
Thank you Sweet Friend for sharing Lisa's message with us.
Truly, we would live so differently if we really believed how beautiful we are in GOD's eyes!
Your right, her smile on the cover is beautiful. Would love to read her book.
The cards are cute too. 🙂
Count me in! And, I adore all of Cindy's cards, I have several and love sending them out.
Hi Elaine,
Who did Lisa publish with? Did she enjoy that journey (of publishing)?
Cindy's cards look lovely. Please count me in for the giveaway.
Regarding your comment on my site, I have those sleepy kind of days too.
You changed your photo. 🙂
Have a great week. Thanks for stopping by.
Jennifer
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Thanks for offering the giveaway. Anything that brings you benefit has got to be good for me, too!
Lisa's book sounds much needed for us all…and what a woman after my own heart, I love making stationary too!
Blessings,
Nancy
What a treat to pop in on one of my favorite people and find that she is talking about another one! I would live a copy of Lisa's book, and you are right–her smile is a beautiful light.
I'm hoping you are well, my friend. I keep you in my prayers. We need to catch up soon. So much love to you..,
I am a BIG reader and this book looks like a good one to add to my collection to read over and over again! Thanks for offering this contest!
wifeforthejourney:
I know you are grateful for all your blogging friends. Though I have not ventured into Lisa's book myself, I can testify to how many of our nights have ended with you reading her latest work.
Love you,
Billy
Elaine,
Thank you again for the warm words spoken in this blog post and your heart to share the book with the heart of another woman. I pray God's blessings over you, your husband, family and all the women who left comments here.
To God be the glory!
I would love to read Lisa’s book!! I was surfing for something as my friend who is strong in his faith is suffering with cancer and I was looking for something to share with him. His faith is so solid that it humbles me to be a better christian. I would love the opportunity to purchase 2 copies – 1 for my friend and 1 for me. Thank you for your introduction as my friend is a teacher and I am overwhelmed when I read the journal entries about how many people he has touched by walking with God.