A Book Review - Biblical Minimalism by Cheryl E. Smith and a Giveaway

Hello Cottage Friends,

Many of you may know Cheryl Smith of the blog Homespun Devotions. She is a woman of God who shares from her heart, sometimes stepping out of her own comfort zone to write, from a Christian worldview, about matters that affect our culture. I have followed her blog for years, and find her well-written posts to be thoughtful, as well as oftentimes thought-provoking.

Cheryl has just published her book "Biblical Minimalism", of which I am a happy recipient.  


I finished reading the book last night, and I must say the timing could not have been more perfect. As I embark on a new life as a single woman after years of down-sizing and purging unnecessary material things from my life, I can use all the encouragement I can get to stay on course with "the simple life" to which God has called me. 

But Cheryl's book goes much further than instructions on how to get rid of stuff. She does give practical advice on how to rid our lives of excess possessions, but the main thrust of the book challenges the reader to go deeper; to examine her life and let go of "everything that hinders us from following [Jesus] wholeheartedly and single-mindedly and relinquishing all that brings us under bondage to this earthly, temporary life." By sharing her family's journey from "abundance to living the abundant life", Cheryl reveals how she came to face that challenge herself. As I turned the pages I found myself nodding in agreement. Yes, yes. I've had that same experience.

In Chapter Fourteen of Biblical Minimalism, Cheryl introduces what she has named the Biblical Minimalism Whole-Person Pie©. This is a fascinating look at the eight facets of an individual's life: Obligational, Spiritual, Physical, Mental, Emotional, Relational, Financial and Occupational. Here's where things get really interesting, and really real.  For example, I've read a number of books and a plethora of articles on simple living and minimizing, but not one of them touched on issues such as "toxic relationships" and how they are contrary to the abundant life of simplicity. Cheryl deals with this issue with humility and wisdom, and I couldn't help but wish I'd had her book in my hands a decade ago when I was going through my own battle with a toxic relationship.  

Cheryl's journey "from abundance to living the abundant life" is my journey in many ways. And I suspect that it is the journey of many others, as well. Anyone who wants to delve into this subject from a biblical perspective will appreciate adding Biblical Minimalism by Cheryl E. Smith to their library. My copy will stay on my night stand where I can refer to it on a regular basis. It's more than just a good read. It's a good reference for living a simply abundant life.

Cheryl has graciously offered a copy of  Biblical Minimalism for A Joyful Cottage giveaway. If you would like to enter the giveaway, just leave a comment telling me you'd like to be entered. I'll be drawing the winning name one week from today,  Monday,  August 10. Please make sure to provide a way that I can reach you, should you be the blessed winner.

Hugs,






20 comments

  1. I would love to be entered for this book! I've read her blog for s few years and enjoy it so much! I don't post my email online, but if you go to my blog (underkansasskies.blogspot.com) there is a contact form in the right sidebar that you can use to send me a message - it goes to my email and I can reply from there. Thank you for offering this giveaway! Blessings to you!

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  2. I would love to enter and win the book. I’m curious to read it! Hugs my friend ❤️

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  3. I would love to win a copy! I’m curious to read it after your review. Hugs my friend ❤️

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  4. Sounds like a great read and perspective on life. Glad you could read it and come away with spiritual wisdom and seeing your path in life and how to continue forward. Life really can send us some road blocks to being happy and finding joy and not basing our feeling on our possessions. I think like food and substance abuse possessions can also be toxic. Good to see your post Nancy. Hope all is well.
    xoxo
    Kris

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  5. Thank you for this book review. Please enter me to win the book.

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  6. Good morning Nancy! I would love to enter the give-away. As I read your own well-penned thoughts on this book, I too found myself nodding in agreement. Many of us have been influenced over the years to rid ourselves of material things that we don't need or want anymore, and that is all well and good, especially for our closets and living environments! However, there are still so many areas of our personal lives where we hang on to attitudes that stuff the "closet" of our hearts with way too much junk that ends up becoming a stench of unsavory attitudes in the face of God. How brilliant to switch the notion of decluttering our homes to decluttering our minds and spirits. This is much needed and I must say that I recently went out beyond my comfort zone in order to clear up a misunderstanding and hurt with another individual. I felt that by speaking my heart in in truth, I had cleared away unnecessary "stuff." Thank you for this post!

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  7. Your review of this book was very good, thank you for it and for this give-away, which I'd like to be entered in.

    Have a good week dear Nancy ~ Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

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  8. a lover of simplicity and personal minimalism and downsizing, i'd love to be considered to receive this book. bless you dearly this day...

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  9. I would like to be intered into the book giveaway. My email is mremcher@gmail.com.

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  10. I would love to win a copy of this book. I, too, recently downsized....for the same reason you have. I have given away a few "things" that I am now regretting. AND thinking, "What was I thinking??? I know they are only earthly things but I am having a bit of a block to why I did give them away. After all it is only stuff...but it was good stuff. Does she address this in her book?
    I love your new place and I know you will fix it up perfect!!!
    Many Blessings to you on your journey !!!! ....been there doing that, sister!!!

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  11. I've read several reviews and even Cheryl's own words regarding her book. I've had a hard year with RA and feel reading this would be an encouragement and help. Will watch for your giveaway and send email address if chosen - thanks!

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  12. Hello Nancy,
    Yes, I would like to be entered in the giveaway. I would be interested in reading and learning more about getting out, rid or any sort of help regarding toxic relationships.
    Thank you for the opportunity to win. Carla

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  13. I would love to be entered. I am also a Christian and I am happy to hear of her blog and will definitely check it out. I have been on the path of minimalism myself, and it is a difficult path for sure. And I could have used this book a few years ago to help me end a toxic relationship. It ended, thankfully and it was the beginning of a new and wonderful life. It sounds like a wonderful book. I am interested in her biblical perspective and I have never thought of it before from a biblical perspective.

    I would also say I am so happy that you let us know how you are doing at this stage in your life and it sounds to me like God is blessing you in many ways.

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  14. Rebecca Harrison, I would love to win a copy! My husband and I going thru a major journey in our lives right now. Thank you for the giveaway and for sharing this review.

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  15. This sounds like a book I need to read. I have been working on ridding my life of toxic relationships since my husband died. The book sounds like one I would enjoy and glean good info from. Enter me in the drawing. Hope all is well with the new home. Blessings, Debbie

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  16. Oh Nancy, you have made me want to read it even more . . . I was picked in a give-a-way a little over a week ago and have been watching my mailbox in anticipation ever since. I'm sure it will touch home in many parts of my life as well.
    I do hope that everything is going well with you and that you're new home is becoming a cozy safe haven. Congratulations to your winner :)
    God bless you sweet friend.

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  17. I would love to be entered! 💖

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  18. Oh, it sounds like a wonderful book...and looks like we got our power back after a bad storm just in time for me to get my entry in under the wire!! Hoping you're well and always happy when I see your name pop up in our blog feed!

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  19. I'd love to win the copy. I was going to leave a comment thanking you for sharing this information but a giveaway is so much fun.

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Your comments bring me joy! Thanks for stopping by.