Edited to add: Random Number Generator picked number 3, so Robin Dance, a copy of Savor is on its way to you! Congratulations!
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Lots of my blog friends lately have been talking about “old school blogging.” Blogging has changed so much lately, and we long for the old days of memes and comments (*ahem*), and sharing the posts of others.
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Lots of my blog friends lately have been talking about “old school blogging.” Blogging has changed so much lately, and we long for the old days of memes and comments (*ahem*), and sharing the posts of others.
And book reviews.
And giveaways!
Never fear, friends, old school blogging is back! Right
here. For today.
No promises about tomorrow. [Oh, who am I kidding? Most of
what I do is old school anyway.]
Last week I received a review copy of Shauna Niequist’s new
book, Savor: Living Abundantly Where You
Are, As You Are, and I’m so excited to tell you all about it today.
The first thing you’ll notice about this book is that it’s
beautiful. The cover is linen, so those of us who are tactile will love simply holding
this book. The pages are sturdy and thick, and the layout is simple yet
beautiful.
The next thing you’ll notice, especially if you’ve read
Shauna’s other books, is that this is a different format for her. This is a
daily inspirational book, small snippets of Shauna’s writing that will make you
think, smile, or act.
You’ll probably notice, if you read Shauna’s blog, that
she’s taken some thoughts from her older posts; other entries are new. That’s
OK. It’s nice to be reminded of the lessons Shauna has learned along her
journey. Each entry is accompanied by a Bible verse that you can chew on
throughout the day.
One of my favorite things about the book is the question at
the end of each entry. These questions can serve to challenge you to further
thinking or even to action. Here are just a few, but they’re all really good:
“Sometimes it’s not sin that’s most difficult to throw off—it’s the otherwise good stuff that gets in the way of our becoming who God is calling us to be. What do you need to let go of today?” (April 13)
“Marriage is like so many other things: we get out of it what we put into it. Married or not, what are you bringing to the people you love? What would it look like to bring your best self in this season?” (April 30)
“We become family by the choices we make as we respond to each day, whatever that day brings. Who has become family in your life, because you’ve chosen to invest deeply?” (September 11)
Now, I’m all about daily Bible reading and deep Bible study.
This book isn’t for that.
But sometimes we just need a shot in the arm as we slug down
a cup of coffee before flying out the door—just a little thought to help us focus
our busy day—and that’s exactly what this book is for.
Over the past couple of years, after coming to a point of
burnout with her work, Shauna has encouraged us to slow down, to take time for
friends and family, and to savor life’s small moments. This book will help you
do that.
Want a copy of your own? I have good news! Shauna’s
publisher has graciously offered to give one copy of Savor to one of my dear readers.
To be entered into the giveaway,
you only need to do two things:
1. Sign up to receive email updates from me. You can do that
just over there --->.
(If you’re already a follower, just let me know in the comments.)
2. Leave me a comment below telling me one way you like to
slow down and savor life with those you love.
Easy, right?! I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
This giveaway will remain open until Monday, March 23.
Yay for old school blogging!! :) I'd like to slow down and savor life with people I love here at our home around the table that was my great-grandfather's eating good food someone else cooked--ha! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
ReplyDeleteYou have your great-grandfather's table, Lisa?! That is so cool! I bet the conversations are wonderful too. Thanks for being here!
DeleteI would love to read this beautiful book. A favorite way to slow down and savor is to walk the beach. Just returned from a week doing that and it was splendid! I know I already receive your email updates and value the relationship that started in 2007 with old school blogging!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, the beach. You are so lucky that you have one of those nearby, Beverly! I value your friendship, too. Thanks for sticking around! :)
Delete:) Well, that was one way for me to notice and sign up for your updates...I WANT a copy of this book!! So glad you've received one for yourself AND to give away :).
ReplyDeleteMy favorite way to savor is rather ordinary...it's simply taking time around a table to BE with those I love and enjoy. When we host a meal, seems we always sit and talk forever. THAT to me is pure blessing.
Thanks for the chance to receive a copy!!
Hello darling! We do that, too--lingering after long meals is the BEST! Thanks for being here, friend!
DeleteI would love a copy of the book! I have been following your for a couple years through e-mail updates (sorry that I don't comment....). One of the things I have started recently with my husband and kids going 3 different directions is "Dessert Night" after church on Wednesday evenings. It's one of the only nights of the week that we are all together at the same time and we are able to gather together and enjoy a sweet dessert and fellowship with each other. Sometimes we invite friends to join us or it's just us. Either way, we are able to savor our time together. We are loving it and the kids (2 teenagers and a 12 year old) all look forward to it each week!
ReplyDeleteI love that idea, LaDonna! I bet you have some great conversations after church on Wednesdays. Thanks, too, for following! ;)
DeleteHi Shelly, I enjoy your blog and am already subscribed for email updates. Your Downton recaps were so deliciously wonderful, I could not chance missing one, so that's when I subscribed. I would love to win a copy of "Savor". (I'm noticing that savor is one letter less than "Savior" - oddly the "I" is missing... one could ponder on that for a while.) These days I'm focusing on realizing and incorporating the presence of Jesus in every moment, no matter how many hours it's been since my quiet time or even if I didn't have a quiet time that morning because I decided (unwisely??) to hit snooze 4 times. He is always with me and when I am savoring or delighting in something, I can use that moment to reflect on his glory and goodness. Thank you for your beautiful writing. God Bless You. Susan C. Altamonte Springs, Florida
ReplyDeleteSusan, thank you. You have no idea how your comment encourages me!
DeleteOh, just wanted to add that I've tried to comment before (on your Downton posts) but got so aggravated by the cumbercome way that Blogger (or maybe it's WordPress, since that's who I "log on" thru) makes me prove my identity with those "captcha" thingies that sometimes are undiscernable. So, I have tried to say hello before but gave up because it was going to involve me pulling out the laptop instead of just being able to do so thru my tablet.
ReplyDeleteOh no!! I had no idea that Captcha was turned on! I'll try to turn it off. Thanks for letting me know.
DeleteThis book looks GREAT! I'm not familiar with her writing, but I'm gonna look her up and check it out. I'm already a "follower" by e-mail. Thanks so much for the great giveaway! I really do hope that as I step into this new season of "empty nest" my life can slow down. I want to focus on my husband and and I spending more quality time together. I want to do a few things around my house (go through my "stuff," organize, donate, simplify). Yes, I look forward to RESTING.
ReplyDeleteArgh! I need to organize too, but I keep putting it off. :( Enjoy this new season!!
DeleteOur favorite way to savor family is to have lunch after church on Sunday with our extended family.
ReplyDeleteI'm already a subscriber.
I'm also sad that Downton is over for the season as I miss your recaps. It was like enjoying the show all over again.
Hello, Kristie!! Thanks for subscribing, and I am so happy you liked the Downton posts! :)
DeleteI am already a follower and would love a copy of this book. I am looking for ways to slow down and appreciate these hectic years with my teenagers before they fly the nest. Thank you for your words of wisdom and insight. Your honesty and humbleness reminds us that we all have our struggles and joys and our hope in Jesus.
ReplyDeleteSo sweet, Christy. Thank you. And, yes, enjoy those teenagers--they will be gone before you know it.
DeleteSubscribed! Beginning with "Cold Tangerines" Shauna's words have been so dear to me. Savor. It is a word I need to roll around in my mouth like a sip of good wine.
ReplyDeleteLove that, Monica! Thanks for subscribing!
DeleteOooh, I'm so excited to read this book. I adore everything Shauna writes! I'm working on simply PUTTING MY PHONE DOWN so I can focus on my people. Easier said than done, sadly! (And I do get your posts via email!)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I'm working on being present, too--but sometimes that's hard. Crazy, huh?!
DeleteI've been a "follower" of sorts for over 30 years, it just took me awhile to make it official! But you got me with that lovely book. It looks wonderful and I certainly would love the opportunity to savor more moments with my Savior! Shelly, I love reading your blog! I feel like I've been with you and can hear you talk as I read it. Full of honesty, fun, and faith, your beautiful heart shines through whatever you write! Love you, friend!
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks so much for that, Sue. Love you back!
DeleteI signed up for e-mail!
ReplyDeletepanicxduh[at]yahoo[dot]com
I have a newborn & between being sleep deprived and her growing up so fast, i feel like i dont pay enough attention to how special each moment is with her, even the testing ones!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Erin--it's hard. Thanks for the follow!
DeleteThe cover on the book is so beautiful, I can only imagine what is inside! I love the question aspect - an encouragement and then a question to spur us on to action. I have been following on Bloglovin' for a while but signed up to follow by e-mail as well. I would love to slow down dinner time enough to have more guests enjoy food and fellowship with us. I think we need more of this in our hurried world. I know I do! Happy weekend : )
ReplyDeleteI love slowing down on the Sabbath to savor time with family--that rhythm of rest and work is so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteShelly,
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that I've found your blog through twitter. It is so pretty!
I've subscribed via email.
My husband and I put the breaks on our busy-ness two years ago. We had both served in the military, but I had left the service with the birth of our first son. In the next 7 years we had one more child, moved 3 times, and endured 8 deployments. We slowed down when Jay made the decision to join the Arkansas Air National Guard. We moved back to Arkansas (though it wasn't "home" for either of us) and bought a little 10 acre farm. Things are more simple now. The deployments have stopped, we've tried new hobbies like gardening, shooting, and raising chickens, and we have a LOT more family time. It's been good, for everyone.
Blessings,
Amanda G.
Twitter: @AmandaGeaney
P.S. When our son started school and no longer took naps we instituted "Family Nap Day." After church on Sunday we all take a nap. It's wonderful!