God Glimpses from the Jewelry Box E-Book

Michelle Cox

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Seitenzahl: 143

Beschreibung

What is in your jewelry box? A love letter, lock of hair, watch, or safety pin? Did you know that God's fingerprints—evidence of His presence—can be found there as well? We can uncover some amazing spiritual lessons tucked between our pearls, earrings, and silver bracelets.   Sometimes we act as if God is distant, but God glimpses are present in every aspect of our lives. We just have to look for them. Take a trip through thirty items in a jewelry box and discover encouragement, inspiration, and confirmation that God is so close we can reach out and touch Him.   Be bling for the King. Look for God glimpses in your jewelry box and shine for Jesus.  

Leseprobe

ENDORSEMENTS

Looking for a refreshing reminder of your place in God’s kingdom? Then this is the book for you! In God Glimpses from the Jewelry Box: Becoming Jewels God Can Use, Michelle Cox and John Perrodin wrap spiritual truth around ordinary items found in jewelry boxes. Beckoning titles such as “Broken Jewelry,” “A Pet Collar,” “Diamonds,” and “The Charm Bracelet” invite readers to ponder their own treasured status. In addition to poignant stories, each of the thirty chapters contains an encouraging quotation, prayer, and Scripture—and ends with the thought-provoking “Jewelry Insurance Inventory Form.”

—SANDRA P. ALDRICH, author of Heart Hugs for Single Moms: 52 Devotions to Encourage You

God Glimpses from the Jewelry Box is a lovely collection of devotions designed to help readers find the jewels hidden in everyday life. I especially like the “Jewelry Insurance Inventory Form” at the end of each chapter that asks readers to consider where their treasure is and encourages them to store up treasures in heaven—those that will never lose their value. A jewel of a book!

—DEBORAH RANEY, author of Because of the Rain and the Chicory Inn novels

In the time it takes to choose and put on your jewelry, Michelle Cox and John Perrodin will inspire and encourage your walk with God. In God Glimpses from the Jewelry Box: Becoming Jewels God Can Use, you will gain gems from God’s Word that will enlighten and energize each and every day to create a priceless future.

—PAM AND BILL FARREL, authors of forty-five books, including 7 Simple Skills for Every Woman and 7 Simple Skills for Every Man

Catching a glimpse of God is one of the great joys and encouragements in our daily walk with the Lord. I’m so glad Michelle and John wrote the God Glimpses books. It’s a brilliant concept—stuffing jewelry boxes and toolboxes with clever concepts to enhance our relationship with God.

—TODD STARNES, Fox News channel

You can’t do better than my friends Michelle Cox and John Perrodin if you’re looking for spiritual guidance leading to real growth. When I think of them both, what comes to mind beyond their commitment to stellar writing and careful scriptural scholarship is a deep love for God and a reverence for His Word. Add to that their examples as spouses and parents in two long-term marriages, and you have a pair of authors uniquely qualified to mine the unsearchable riches of Christ. Immerse yourself in God Glimpses … and come away more disciplined, consistent, and prepared to serve.

—JERRY B. JENKINS, novelist and biographer, JerryJenkins.com

If there is one thing I hold dear in my heart, it’s the heirloom jewelry in my jewelry box … not necessarily for the monetary value, but because of the stories my mother shared with me as she showed them to me, back when they took up residence in the velvety recesses of her own jewelry box. But even more important than the jewelry passed down from great-great-grandmothers, great-aunts, grandmothers, and my own mother is the legacy of being a woman after God’s heart, which they also passed on to me. Within the words of this book, Michelle Cox has brilliantly woven the joy of the bling with the truth of the jewels, and the high value of God glimpses from the jewelry box.

—EVA MARIE EVERSON, best-selling author, Five Brides

My friend, author Michelle Cox, who wears “bling for the King,” has written a sparkling new devotional, God Glimpses from the Jewelry Box, that will perfectly fit anyone who loves to shine! Dig in and discover the treasures that are sometimes hidden under tarnished heirloom silver or the tossed aside strand of priceless pearls. Though you wear your charm bracelet every day, did you ever think of each charm as a memento of God’s faithfulness? Cox takes us through thirty different kinds of jewelry, inserting fascinating stories and prompting us to ask questions of our heart and soul in the process. Who knew that a pocket watch and earrings could spur us on to greater commitment to God who is the Creator of all true jewels? I greatly enjoyed this devotional and highly recommend it for those like me who fill half our luggage with statement necklaces!

—LUCINDA SECREST MCDOWELL, author of Dwelling Places, EncouragingWords.net

From the time I was a tiny girl, I had a fascination with jewelry. I spent hours going through both my mother’s and my grand-mother’s jewelry boxes—each piece telling a story. Michelle and John have captured just that, the reminiscent feeling of pouring through those boxes. I will not be able to look at my own jewelry box the same. Instead of the glitz and bling, I now see the fingerprints of God and my life story. This book will be my go-to gift for all my girlfriends. This is a “curl up on the couch with a cup of coffee” feel-good book. Now I’m going to accessorize, accessorize, and sparkle for Jesus!

—CAROL HATCHER, sassy, Southern, sparkly boot-wearing wife and mother of three; writer and international speaker

BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC

Racine, Wisconsin, USA

BroadStreetPublishing.com

God Glimpses from the Jewelry Box

BECOMING JEWELS GOD CAN USE

Copyright © 2016 Michelle Cox and John Perrodin

ISBN-13: 978-1-4245-5209-2 (hardcover)

ISBN-13: 978-1-4245-5210-8 (e-book)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Quotes from the authors are so identified. Quotes in chapters 2–3, 6–7, 9–10, 15, 17–18, 20, 23, 26–27, and 29 are taken from Worth Repeating © 2003 by Bob Kelly. Published by Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. All other quotes are in the public domain and sourced with appreciation to www.bartelby.com.

Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible and sourced with appreciation to www.biblegateway.com.

Stock or custom editions of BroadStreet Publishing titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, ministry, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail [email protected].

Cover design by Chris Garborg, garborgdesign.com

Interior design and typesetting by Katherine Lloyd, TheDESKonline.com

Printed in China

16 17 18 19 20 5 4 3 2 1

This book is dedicated to my precious

granddaughters, Anna, Ava, and Eden.

Grandmama and God both think you are

priceless jewels. I love you, sweet girls,

and my prayer for you is that you’ll always

find glimpses of God in every day.

MICHELLE COX

I wish to dedicate this book to my wonderful wife

and precious jewel, Sue, and my Amazing Eight: Liesl,

Tad, Cosette, Quentin, Carol, Patch, Jenna, and Jace,

through whom I am daily granted glimpses

of God’s loving and generous heart.

I also want to thank Kathy, Kandy, Ginger, Helen,

and Tom, and all the other members of

my powerful prayer support team.

JOHN PERRODIN

And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts,

in that day when I make up my jewels.

—Malachi 3:17

Contents

INTRODUCTION:What’s in Your Jewelry Box?

1Silver Jewelry

2Broken Jewelry

3The Charm Bracelet

4Diamonds

5The Family Keepsake

6A Strand of Pearls

7A Pet Collar

8The Passport

9A Handmade Pin

10The Birthstone

11Grandpa’s Pocket Watch

12Earrings

13Sentimental Items

14Candy Jewelry

15The Wristwatch

16The Medical Alert Bracelet

17Assorted Jewelry

18The Engagement Ring

19Costume Jewelry

20The Wedding Ring

21A Locket

22The Purple Heart and Other Military Medals

23Heirloom Jewelry

24Love Letters

25Custom Jewelry

26The Heart Necklace

27The Angel Pin

28Gold Jewelry

29Religious Jewelry

30The Jewelry Box

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Introduction to God Glimpses from the Toolbox

INTRODUCTION

What’s in Your Jewelry Box?

Girlfriends, what’s in your jewelry boxes? I (Michelle) asked that question recently on Facebook, and the results were fascinating. I was surprised by how many responses I received. Yes, women keep jewelry in their jewelry boxes, but they also store a wide variety of other things in those treasure chests—everything from baby teeth and safety pins to love letters and military medals.

God Glimpses from the Jewelry Box: Becoming Jewels God Can Use is the first release in the God Glimpses book series. God often mentions jewels in the Bible. And that’s awesome since most of us girls love our sparkly accessories.

When we look into our jewelry boxes, it’s easy to see the items we keep in there. But what most of us haven’t discovered before are the amazing spiritual lessons hiding in our jewelry boxes.

We sometimes act as if God is a million miles away when just the opposite is true. Glimpses of God are present in every aspect of our lives if we’ll open our eyes and look around. That’s the premise for the God Glimpses books: to take important spiritual truths and apply them to ordinary things such as a building project, a visit to the spa, a day at the office, or the items found in a jewelry box or toolbox. We can discover God’s will and purpose for our lives if we’ll just take time to catch a glimpse of Him.

God Glimpses from the Jewelry Box features thirty things found in a woman’s jewelry box. Each of the chapters includes a definition of the item and a story with a spiritual application. We’ve also added a quote, a prayer, and a verse of Scripture to help us on our quest to become priceless jewels in God’s jewelry box. A “Jewelry Insurance Inventory Form” at the end of each chapter provides thought-provoking questions suitable for quiet times, family devotions, small groups, or an evening with girlfriends. And all of them will lead to one important question for each of us to consider: What’s your treasure?

Sweet friends, I don’t know about you, but I want to be bling for the King. I want to shine and sparkle for Him. Will you join me as we look for God glimpses from the jewelry box?

ONE

Silver Jewelry

Silver is a precious metal. It’s lightly colored and can be polished to a bright shine. Silver must be cleaned regularly to keep it from tarnishing. It is easily fashioned into new forms and must go through a refining process to remove unwanted materials. Since pure silver is often too soft, sterling silver (which is silver that has been mixed with a small amount of other metals) is usually used for jewelry. Silver jewelry blends well with a variety of fashions and can be worn for any occasion.

A tarnished life can shine again

when polished with God’s love.

—Michelle Cox

SILVER WITHOUT TARNISH

SYLVIA WAS THRILLED TO INHERIT her grandmother’s jewelry box. It was filled with memories of wonderful days that she and Grandma Bessie had spent together. Picking up a silver brooch, she rubbed the tarnish, trying to wipe it away.

While playing in her mother’s jewelry box as a little girl, Sylvia had broken so much jewelry that she wasn’t allowed to play in it anymore. But Grandma Bessie couldn’t resist those big blue eyes, so Sylvia was given free rein with her grand-mother’s jewelry box.

Even better, Sylvia’s grandmother played with her, both of them in elegant attire, draped with strand after strand of pearls and beads. Sylvia teared up as those memories flooded back.

She hadn’t realized it as a child, but such love had been evident in those moments … in the brownies they’d baked for their tea parties … in the time her grandmother had so freely given … and in the laughter and conversation they’d shared.

As Sylvia became a teen, those jewelry box moments changed. They were still special, just different. She’d spent sunny afternoons sprawled on the porch with Grandma Bessie, sharing the history behind each item.

The silver brooch had been her grandmother’s most prized piece of jewelry. It was the last gift from Sylvia’s grandfather. Grandma Bessie received it a week after she’d learned the news of his death while fighting in World War II.

And, now, they were both gone. Sylvia ran her finger across the brooch, remembering the day her grandmother had shared the story about it. She could almost hear her sweet voice.

“Sylvia, this is special to me for a number of reasons. Obviously, because it’s the last gift from Granddaddy James, but even more because this silver brooch sums up what your granddaddy’s life was all about.” Her voice had cracked as she’d continued, “Granddaddy always bought me silver jewelry because he said it reminded him of serving Jesus. I remember the day he gave me a ring. He told me, ‘Bessie, to make silver pure, it has to go through a refining process. The metal must be screened to remove unwanted materials from the silver. And then it’s heated again and again until it’s pure. It’s like our spiritual lives. The wisdom of the years spent in His Word can make us shine. Or we can come out gritty and tarnished because we haven’t taken the time to care for our souls. Let’s shine for Him, sweetheart.’ ”

As Sylvia placed the brooch back into the jewelry box, she whispered, “God, I’m sorry I forgot about you. I think it’s time to remove the tarnish from the brooch … and my life. Thank you for grandparents who left me an inheritance of faith.”

What kind of inheritance are you leaving behind?

For thou, O God, hast proved us:

thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

—Psalm 66:10

Dear God, I don’t want my life and my testimony to be tarnished. Refine me. Remove the impurities. Form me into what you want for my life. Help my heart to be soft like silver so that I’m pliable for your use. Help me to shine for you in a world that needs to see your light. Thank you for those who have invested in me. And when someone sees a bit of discoloration hampering my testimony, give them the strength to tell me—and give me the courage to hear the truth. Amen.

THE JEWELRY INSURANCE INVENTORY FORM

What is your treasure?

1. Have you ever wondered why you face trials? Pray and ask God to show you what He wants you to learn from those moments.

2. The silver brooch was tarnished because it hadn’t received proper care. Is there tarnish in your life? Is there an area that you need to address?

3. Grandma Bessie’s time was a precious gift to her granddaughter. Do you spend enough time with your family? Are you spending your days in God’s Word . . . or in technology?

4. Just as Sylvia’s grandmother shared her stories, have you shared your stories of faith with your family? Did your grandfather leave behind favorite passages of Scripture? Was there a church or an individual who impacted your life spiritually? Have you told your children about your salvation experience? Pass those stories down to another generation.

TWO

Broken Jewelry

Broken jewelry is jewelry that has been damaged, has lost a clasp or a fastener, or is missing a matching piece, a stone, or a bead. Some people prefer to toss such worthless items. They have neither the time nor skill to fix them. Often the broken jewelry seems like it’s too far gone to keep, but sometimes a little glue, some paint, or a replacement piece can make it usable again. In the right hands, a trinket of little value can be restored to its former beauty and shine, just as God has done for many of us.

Man is born broken. He lives by mending.

And the grace of God is glue.

—Eugene O’Neill

FROM BROKEN TO USEFUL

For someone who can’t stand clutter, I sure seem to collect a lot of it. Even in my jewelry box. One day when I have some extra time, I need to go through it and get rid of all the junk that’s in there.

Oh, c’mon, you know you have some too. At least, I don’t think I’m the only jewelry hoarder on the planet. I’ve got broken pieces of jewelry in my jewelry box. Yes, broken pieces. A little glue, a dab of paint, a new clasp, and they’ll be as good as new—if I ever get around to fixing them.

There are necklaces with loose links. When I wear them, the necklace falls off because the links come apart. You’d think I’d have learned the first time it happened, but I seem to be a slow learner in that regard. All I need to do is to take a tool and tighten the links—and I’ll do that … eventually.