One Thousand Gifts Book Club

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon this amazing haven of rest, encouragement, peace, and hope. Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience has created a space of raging beauty. She writes with a rawness that is scary yet refreshing. I feel like she is a friend I have shared thoughts with over a hot cup of tea. She is real and transparent. She has also authored a wonderful treasure of a book. 

This led me to purchase it in the form of an e-book and join a book club over at {In}Courage. As I read what others are sharing about themselves on the various posts I was moved to tears last night. Each woman so unique. 

Stories different. Tears cried from all.

Joy. 

Hope. 

Pain. 

Searching. 

Reaching.

 Each one a child of God. 

Precious. 

LOVED by the ONE. 

The CREATOR! 

HE is GOOD! 

I am so excited to be a part of this group of ladies, each one with a special part in God's plan.  

Through Ann's writing I am learning more about Eucharisteo - this thanksgiving - Thanks-living and the depth of that beautiful arrangement of letters has completely shaken me to the core of my being. God has used the words on Ann’s blog and the words of this amazing book to begin stripping away anything that is not of God. 

Michael Angelo was once asked of his Angel sculpture how he was able to create such magnificent masterpiece and he replied, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” Isn’t that what God does with us? 

He sees us in our raw form, with all of the mess, the sin, the ugliness, and he chisels and carves and shaves and hammers until everything that is not of Him is gone, setting us FREE!

It is with unconditional, unexplainable, yes, CRAZY LOVE that he loves us just as we are but loves us too much to simply leave us that way. There is pain and hurt involved at times but He can make anything beautiful. He is CREATOR! There is a great illustration of this by the Skit Guys called, “Chiseled” if you want to watch it. Amazing. Listen to Bebo Norman’s song, “The Hammer Holds,” as well. It is my prayer that as we all read this book and share our stories that God will use it to set us free and allow us to become His original masterpieces, letting go of everything that does not sing, dance, speak, shout, and wreak of HIM! God bless! Wont you join us? We are on Chapter One and there is time! Dive into the beautiful love story between a woman and her God. It is going to be amazing!