“A Chocolate Life; Savoring God’s Sweet Grace”
By Deb Burma
Review by Shelly Burke
Who doesn’t love at least a bit of chocolate once in a while? Deb Burma’s new devotion book, A Chocolate Life; Savoring God’s Sweet Grace, shows readers how life can be like chocolate—sweet, bitter, light and smooth, or dark and lumpy. In devotions with titles that include Chocolate-frosted Grace, Hot Cupcake Aromatherapy, Chocolate Gifts, Choice Morsels, and Not by Chocolate Alone, Burma takes examples and illustrations from her life and shows us how we can apply them to our own lives. In every devotion (there are 30 devotions in the book) she shows us how God sustains us, forgives us, and provides us with His endless grace. As an extra treat readers will find nine chocolate-based Burma family recipes in the book. YUM!
One of my favorite devotions is Chocolate Gifts. In this devotion Burma relates how her kids sometimes hoard the chocolate gifts they’ve received…only to find later that the months-old stash is stale and hard. She reminds us to not to do the same with God’s gifts to us, but to use them and share them! God’s gifts will never spoil but, as Burma points out, “if we don’t use them, other people will miss out on the rich blessings and grace of God that they could receive through us.”
The devotions are quick to read and packed with God’s Word and meaning. Burma encourages us to take in “nuggets and morsels of God’s Word (and chocolate)” and make Him a priority in our lives—just as each of us is a priority to Him. She encourages us to make God’s Word available at all times—by having a Bible handy, written verses or passages posted around our homes, and a devotion book in our car or purse to read while waiting.
A Chocolate Life; Savoring God’s Sweet Grace is the perfect size and price (quantity discounts available) to wrap up with a candy bar or other chocolate treat, or tuck into a greeting card and give as a gift on a special occasion or “just because.” Every reader of A Chocolate Life will “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8)
To read more by Deb Burma, check out her blog at Fragrant Offerings .
(Now that I’m done writing this review, I’m going to go find…some chocolate!)
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To purchase A Chocolate Life; Savoring God’s Sweet Grace devotion book, magnets, or Scripture cards, ask at your Christian bookstore or go to www.cph.org (Concordia Publishing House).
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This sounds like a great and upbeat devotional book to read. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog. I know what you mean about using God's name in vain in books. I told a critique bunch that it wasn't necessary. Their response: the characters are saying it. I said no, the author is in control. Needless to say, I've left that particular crit group. :) And as for typos and bad editing, I'm of the opinion the editor should be reviewed right along with the book. I've done it once. yikes!
ReplyDeleteI love the cover and this looks/sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteNew follower here. I’m enjoying reading my fellow “A to Z”ers. I look forward to visiting again.
Sylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
Visiting from A/Z; This sounds like a great devotional book to read; thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the rest of the challenge!
betty
Thanks for your comments!
ReplyDeleteTammy--the book is very upbeat!
Jess--I agree--characters (the author) can express their feelings without swearing. To me it's kind of lazy to resort to using the Lord's name to do that.
Sylvia--thanks for visiting!
That Corgi--thanks for stopping by!
CONGRATULATIONS!
ReplyDeleteTammy, Jess, Sylvia, and That corgi :)--you have EACH won a copy of "A Chocolate Life; Savoring God's Sweet Grace."
Please email the address to which you'd like your book sent to shelly@shellyburke.net.