There are so many things I love about blogging, but one of them is the way it connects people who may never have met in person – and may never meet in person. Making friends online is such a blessing to me, especially because it’s not always easy to make friends as an adult.
This past year I “met” Emily Green through a comment she left on my friend Molly’s blog. Emily wrote a beautiful devotional book called Heartbeat and I got to read a little of the story behind her book as she was in the process of publishing it when I found her blog. I knew right away I needed a copy.
Heartbeat is a set of 52 devotionals designed to help us learn more about God’s heart and growing closer to Him. I’m reading through it over the course of this year and there are already many things I love about it – the first being that it’s set up as a weekly devotional, not a daily one. I believe there’s a lot of value in being in God’s word every day, but I also think as a culture we’re too focused on “next.” We don’t give ourselves time to sit and let things challenge us and really sink in. Following a weekly devotional gives you a chance to be still and listen to what God needs you to hear on the subject and start putting it into practice before you move on to a new topic or idea. It also gives you time to branch out and explore beyond the verses highlighted in the devotional and chase some of those cross-reference rabbit trails without feeling like you’re going to get behind.
Something else I love about Heartbeat is that I can see it being a great book for a small group study. Not only is it already set up in a weekly format, but it’s written in a way that makes it accessible on a lot of levels. I can see a new Christian getting just as much out of the content as someone who’s been in the church a long time and the text is open enough to generate some really meaningful discussions.
That last point might just be my favorite part of Heartbeat so far – This is not a book where the author talks down to you or acts like she’s reached a higher plane of spirituality. It’s also not a book about Emily’s life that happens to have some bible verses thrown in later. Heartbeat isn’t written in the form of personal experiences that turned into lessons, it’s all about God and His word. That’s really what makes it so approachable for anyone who’s interested in growing closer to the Lord.
Which is why I’m so excited to be giving away a copy of Heartbeat by Emily Green to one lucky blog reader! This giveaway runs until midnight on February 7 and all you have to do to enter is fill in the rafflecopter widget below.
Winners will be announced here on February 8 so best of luck!!
P.S. Can’t wait? Pick up your own copy of Heartbeat on Amazon today.
I tried leaving a comment on the other page but it didn’t work so: Comment below and tell me either your favorite way to study the bible or what’s your biggest struggle when it comes to bible study?
My favorite way is with resources like this book. I love Havilah Cunnington because she had alot of stuff like this as well. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
You’re welcome! I haven’t tried anything by Havilah Cunnington but I will definitely check her out. Thank you for the recommendation!
What an awesome giveaway!!
Hi Maria! I have to agree – all credit goes to Emily for providing me a copy of the book to give away!
I like focusing on one book at a time and slowly making my way through it, reading small chunks of verses at a time. It gives me time to digest what I’ve read, rather than reading a large chunk of verses and maybe missing out on all the wisdom each verse has to offer. I also really enjoy studying with the Love God Greatly group, and the Proverbs 31 OBS group!
This is such a good tip, Hilary!! It’s easy for me to get frustrated, especially if I get behind on a daily “plan” and want to start skimming, but that’s how we miss out.