Spurgeon Gems | FLF 4.27.17

My choice for #firstlinefriday is a book I stared on Sunday, Spurgeon Gems. You can get it for free on Kindle and I definitely think it's worth it!

Since this is just a book full of random quotes, I'm choosing one of my favorites (I have highlighted not quite half the book... a lot of great stuff in there!).

"Do not begin until you have prayed! 

Begin, continue and end everything with prayer, 

but especially begin with prayer."

(Spurgeon Gems, Charles H. Spurgeon

First...
Pull a book from your shelf and share a first line!

Then...
Be sure to hop along to all of these other blogs and see what First Lines they have to share!

Please note that I may not fully endorse all of the books that these bloggers read or the content in these blogs.

Sarah - All The Book Blog Names are Taken

Bree - Bibliophile Reviews

Rachel - Bookworm Mama

Heather - Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen

Beth - Faithfully Bookish

Katie - Fiction Aficionado

Lauraine - Lauraine's Notes

Andi - Radiant Light

Carrie - Reading is my Super Power

Robin - Robin's Nest

Sydney - Singing Librarian Books

Kathleen - Kathleen Denly

Jessica – A Baker’s Perspective

Trisha – Joy of Reading

Christ Arose! | Book Review and Giveaway

I am not big into Biblical fiction, because the authors usually take a little too much creative license for my personal preference. However, Faith just finished a Biblical fiction short story (which she wrote, edited, and published in just three short days AND you can get it for free!!)...I had time so read it and wow!! Five stars all the way! You can read my review of it here. I definitely recommend it! OH... AND the giveaway is cool because it comes from my sister's Etsy shop. Yeah... you want to see it. ;)

About the Book

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

No longer could I say I was lonely. But oh, how I wish I could! Who could have done such a thing to the Creator of the world? Who had so much hatred for Him?

Available for free on all eBook vendor: http://books2read.com/christ-arose

About the Author

Faith Blum is a 20-something author of multiple books in various genres. She loves to write, read, play piano, knit, crochet, sew, watch movies, and play games with her family. She lives in Wisconsin with her family on a small family farm where they raise goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and have 2 dogs and a varying number of cats.

Faith’s goal in her writing is to encourage Christians in their walk with Christ. If you enjoyed this book, go to her website to sign up for her Monthly Newsletter so you can get an email with fun facts, giveaways, and so much more every month. You will also find links to her other Social Media sites on her website. She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to contact her. 

Giveaway

Faith is offering a really neat giveaway for this tour. The Par La Grace etsy seller has an April special right now for a really beautifully made block that says He Lives. Isn’t it pretty? You can enter the giveaway here:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt

I am empty. Bereft. No one visits, no one comes near. The garden is a comfort in some ways. The beauty of the flowers, the trees, and the sky above. But I am lonely. Not like my brothers and sisters nearby. They have been used. They are filled with the bodies of their masters’ loved ones.

Yes, I am a tomb. The rock I am made from was created by God the Creator long ago. Sometime later, Joseph of Arimathea bought me and had men work on me until a beautiful place became hollowed out for my master's body and for his loved ones when they went to be forever with their Creator.

Tour Schedule 

April 22

Bookish Orchestrations-Intro Post

Letters from Annie Douglass Lima-Book Spotlight

Written Rest-Book Spotlight and Review

April 24

Leila Tualla-Book Spotlight

God's Peculiar Treasure Rae-Book Spotlight

April 25

With a Joyful Noise-Book Spotlight and Review

Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Book Spotlight

April 26

Frances Hoelsma-Book Spotlight

Perpetual Indie Perspective-Book Spotlight and Review

April 27

Bookish Orchestrations-Giveaway Winner

The Secret Slipper - Coming Soon!!

This last week has been great! I mean, I was down almost every day sick BUT that gave me time to edit Slipper and work on formatting it. So...we have a release date!

That's exactly one month from today! I'm so, so, so excited!!! This has been so very long overdue (in my opinion) and you all have been such a wonderful encouragement to me in the writing and editing process. I appreciate you all so very much!!

If you haven't already, "The Secret Slipper" can be added to your Goodreads list (as an author, adding it to your to-read list, even if you're not going to read it for a year is very helpful!).

And if you want the opportunity to READ "The Secret Slipper," the sign-up for blog tour and review reading is up now. Sign up here! And if you have friends who like to blog or read, go ahead and send them there too. I'm so ready to share Lia's journey with everyone!

Keep your eye open on Tuesdays. I'm bursting to share even more about Lia and Raoul with you all.

Scripture Graphics #36

Reading Psalm 31 this morning blessed my heart. These are just a few of the beautiful verses -- I encourage you to read the whole Psalm. "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: ... For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. ... But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: ... Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!" Psalm 31:1, 3, 14-15a, 19

In our age of Christianity, have we become slothful in our luxuries? Bible lessons are spoon-fed to us -- but do we study God's Word for ourselves? We can access Scripture on almost any device when we need it -- but do we memorize and hide it in our hearts? We live in freedom -- but do we abuse it with living carelessly? Are these reasons why Christianity often appears little different from the world?

"And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation....I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people....And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long." Psalm 35:9, 18, 28

What begins in our heart will overflow into our speech. If we are not joyful in the Lord and praising Him in our hearts, how can we expect the overflow of our lips to be thanksgiving and praise? If we are not giving thanks and praise verbally, then let us search our hearts: are our hearts praising God?

What's a verse you read this week?

Formatting Paperbacks | Writing Article

Happy Saturday! Just popping in to share that I've got an article posted on Wordquill today... Have you ever wondered what all is needed to format you book? Hopefully some of your questions can be answered! Read it here...

Princess Prayers | FLF and Book Review

Here I am, combining two things in one post again. ;) But really, this is a great and cute book to feature for First Line Friday...

"Good morning, Lord, it's time to rise.

The sun is shining bright.

I've got my day ahead of me.

Please help me do what's right."

("Princess Prayers" by Crystal Bowman)

Amazon has a beautiful preview of the book here (oh, and you can buy it there too ;) ).

Now, before I do my review, there are these other lovely participants of FLF... Please note that I may not fully endorse all of the books that these bloggers read or the content in these blogs.

Sarah - All The Book Blog Names are Taken

Bree - Bibliophile Reviews

Rachel - Bookworm Mama

Heather - Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen

Beth - Faithfully Bookish

Katie - Fiction Aficionado

Lauraine - Lauraine's Notes

Andi - Radiant Light

Carrie - Reading is my Super Power

Robin - Robin's Nest

Sydney - Singing Librarian Books

Kathleen - Kathleen Denly

Jessica – A Baker’s Perspective

My Review

What little girl doesn't love princesses?
And what is sweeter than cuddling with your little princess (be it daughter or sister) with adorable poems?

"Princess Prayers" is part of The Princess Parables series ("I Can Read" books) and features artwork from the various other princess stories. The poems go from "My Morning Prayer" to daily life, to scary stuff (like storms), and ends with "My Nighttime Prayer." Each of the poems are two stanzas long, have wonderful rhythmic flow, and truths that girls are able to apply to their everyday lives.

I loved reading through these poems/prayers with my youngest sister (and she loved them too). They are very easy to read and flow well (I have a hard time with some poetry just not flowing). I was also thrilled to realize the depth of these poems. Many Biblical truths are incorporated in the poems such as God never leaving, God loving us even though we sin, God taking away our fear. One poem reminds me closely of Psalm 139, where we can go nowhere from God's presence. The poems are strengthened by having a Bible verse at the bottom of each poem (I prefer KJV and am not sure what translation these are in). 

*I received this book from BookLook Bloggers and was happy to provide my review in return*