I recently received a very neat little book called 101 Cups of Water to review.  The subtitle on this book is "relief and refreshment for the tired, thirsty soul", and that's exactly what this book contains.  Each devotional is on a 2-page spread~ the left-hand side contains a calming black and white photo (ranging from a peaceful river, a flower bud peeking up through the snow, a waterfall, a feather~ all very clever uses of photography~ each one making you feel calm and relaxed just by looking at it).  The right-hand pages contain the devotionals.  Each one is short and to the point.  Each one focuses on a different area of your Christian walk~ faith, humility, friendship, discernment, etc.  There is something in this  book for everyone!

I would like to share one of the "cups" with you, so I picked one that applies to my life.  This is the basic format of the book:

a cup of rest

I'm a hopeless fixer.

I live like I'm the mighty Atlas, like the world is my problem and I'm the one to carry it on my shoulders.  If someone has a problem, I fix it.  No wonder I'm tired.  Even when shown how wrong my thinking is, I answer, "Okay, now how can I fix my thinking?"
     Good grief, what a mess I am!
     Isaiah 9:6 reminds me that the rule of the world, even my little world, is for Christ to bear, not me.  He's the fixer, not me.  Why is that so hard for me to believe?  Maybe I don't want to believe.  maybe I like the way fixing things makes me feel.  Maybe I believe that only I fix things the right way, which is my way. 
     Or maybe I believe that I'm supposed to fix the world.  If that's true, I've been handed a terrible burden.
     Lord, help me.  Remind me every day that you are the sustainer of your world.  Let me relax in knowing that you can fix even me!  Amen.

The world rests where it belongs-
on the broad shoulders of the Lord.

I had the opportunity to "chat" with the author and I asked him if he had any personal thoughts about the book and how it would benefit my readers.  Here is what he had to say:

"I had been raised in a very conservative Christian background (Mennonite turned Independent Bible church) in which my ideas of God were performance based. I struggled for decades to please God through obedience to His Word and deluded myself into imagining that I actually was keeping the code well. Then I failed in ways I had not expected were possible which led me into a wilderness of desperation. There I was thrown a few life-lines to this odd thing called 'grace' which, at first, seemed just too good to be true. Could God really love me AS I AM and not as I should be? When I heard the answer, 'Yes!' everything changed. I offer this little book in hopes of inspiring others with the Good News that God loves them even with all their imperfections. My hope is that it will set people free to love God and to feel His love in ways they have never imagined."

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Jan. 20, 2008 - 101 cups of water book giveaway

Posted by Anonymous

I heard about this book on a Christian talk show and I would be interested in receiving it.
Roxie

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Jan. 20, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by friends4tea

Hey Heidi,
I liked your review of that book! It looks like a nice relaxing read - something I could really use! A nice pick-me-up. If you would enter me in your contest that would be great.
Are you involved in another book club besides the cfba? You always have such interesting books on your blog here!
Hugs,
Leah

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Jan. 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by momofmhasr

Wow, sounds like a great book. Why do I want it? I am always on the look out for something to encourage me to read or dig in my bible. I have a busy life and unfortunitly my reading gets pushed a side. Sometime all it takes is a small devotion to give me that extra push to dig deeper. hope to read more.

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Jan. 21, 2008 - Looks like a refreshing read! ;~)

Posted by kympossible

I'm not familiar with this author, but after checking out his website I am very interested in his fiction and have put those titles on my to-read-someday list. I love your review of this book and it sounds like a devotional that I would really enjoy!

Blessings,
Kym

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Jan. 21, 2008 - Contest... count me in...

Posted by canadianladybug

I would like to win this book as I feel like I am not doing so good in devotions lately. Feeling disconnected somehow. Hate it when that happens!!!

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Jan. 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by dartwns

I would like to be entered in the contest please. I am trying hard to spend some quiet time each morning, your review of the book makes it sound great.

~christa~

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Jan. 21, 2008 - Hey Heidi

Posted by trustingdaily

Thanks for letting me know about the book giveaway. I'm so terrible about checking blogs now that I'm home with this lovely dial-up. Most of the time they won't even load - I've NEVER gotten Amy's to load, not even once!! -humph-

I would like to win the book because I'm passionate about drinking a fresh cup of water from the Living Water each and every day. It truly is our lifeline for Believers.

~ Angela

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