Revell (August 1, 2010)
The photographs are wonderfully set up and respectful of the Amish feelings of discomfort at having their faces photographed. Many of the scenes are landscapes but the Amish settlements still maintain a quaint picturesque quality that is rare in our increasingly automated world. These gorgeous settings also carry a peace that our hurry scurry pace has a tendency to blur at best and obscure at worst.

Here are some examples of sayings in this beautifully illustrated volume.
o “It is better to give others a piece of your heart than a piece of your mind.”
o “You are only poor when you want more than you have.”
o “A child can read a parent’s character before he can read the alphabet.”
o “Bibles that are coming apart usually belong to people who are not.”
o “Those who fear the future are likely to fumble the present.”
o “Kissing wears out, cooking don’t.”
o “If you sense your faith is unraveling, go back to where you dropped the thread of obedience.”
o “You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough.”
o “A smile is a curve that can straighten out a lot of things.”

Reading this collection of Proverbs and sage advice makes for a quiet moment of refreshing in the midst of our race to “keep up with the joneses”. These short but powerful proverbs also brought back some of the responses commonly heard in our home during my growing up years. In regards to “keeping up with the joneses”, my parents had a very thought provoking and probably effective response. When my brother and I would mention something our friends or neighbors or classmates had or did that we decided we wanted too, the immediate response was:

“If (so and so) jumped off a cliff or a bridge would you do it too?”

This question invites some thorough self-examination even as an adult when I begin to desire something that I see others doing or enjoying. Two big practical questions immediately pop up, can I do without it and can I afford to pay for it – financially and otherwise?

There were also some phrases from this book that especially inspired me.

~Nothing Lasts Forever, Not Even Your Troubles
~Those Who Let God Provide Will Always Be Satisfied
~A Man Is Rich In Proportion To The Things He Can Afford To Leave Alone
~Faith Is The Bridge Over Which We Can Cross All The Unknown Waters Of Tomorrow
~When I Have Nothing Left But God, Then I Find That God Is All I Need
~If You Sense Your Faith Is Unraveling, Go Back To Where You Dropped The Thread Of Obedience
~A Heart At Peace Gives Life To The Body
~It Is Better To Give Others A Piece Of Your Heart Than A Piece Of Your Mind

(ISBN#9780800719531, 208pp, $13.99)

Codicil:
Visit Suzanne’s Website to learn more about her and her books. Click the bookcover for more info or to purchase a copy. Thanks to Revell for a review copy and one for giveaway. To enter for the giveaway copy, please leave your email address in the comments along with a proverb from the excerpt or my list above that appeals to you or a favorite proverb/wise saying you remember hearing in your family. Drawing will occur in two weeks – (Sept 10th). Note: Giveaway entries must have a US or Canadian mailing address.

Update:
Well since it’s time to draw a name for this book and Doreen was the only one who posted a comment she wins “by a landslide”. Doreen please use the contact button at the top of any blog page or reply to the email I sent you notifying you of your win. Everyone keep checking back every so often because although Summer is over I still have several books waiting for new homes so after a bit of a break there will be more giveaways.

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