God, Me and Sweet Iced Tea by Rose Chandler Johnson

In the South, nothing is more refreshing than a glass of sweet iced tea. Nothing, that is, except experiencing God in those small, everyday moments. God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea is a deeply personal collection of spiritual treasures designed to help readers experience new mercies each morning. Seasoned with insight and grace, this tender devotional points to the divine presence of God in everyday moments. Whether purchased as a personal resource or given as a heartfelt gift, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea will help readers develop a daily habit of turning to God in those quiet moments of reflection.

Available @ Amazon as well as other retailers

Biography

Rose Chandler Johnson's award-winning devotional journal, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments released in July 2013 from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Her devotions, poems, short stories and articles have appeared in numerous publications over the years. My Father' House is Rose's first novel. Rose has lived near Augusta, GA for the last twenty-nine years. For the last twenty plus years, Rose has been a French and English teacher. Currently she is an adjunct English instructor at a technical college. Rose enjoys baking, gardening, and spending time with her six children and their families. Another devotional is in the works and another Southern lit novel.
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Author's Top Ten
Favorite scripture: Proverbs 4:18

Favorite dessert: Cream cheese pound cake

Favorite author: Oswald Chambers

Favorite ice cream place: Baskin Robbins

Favorite comic book character: X-Men

Favorite candy: Pralines

Favorite vacation location: France

Favorite fruit: Apple

Favorite soda: Ginger ale

Favorite movie:  Just Like Heaven



Author Interview
1. What do you want readers to take away from your devotional, God, Me, & Sweet Iced Tea?I pray that God will use my simple words to speak to hearts and that readers will be encouraged and strengthened as they face each new day. We are all on a spiritual journey. I pray as they read this devotional journal they will draw closer and come to know Him as a trusted friend, always there for them in the midst of every moment.

2. How did you come up with the idea to write this devotional?
When I decided to make Jesus the Lord of my life, in 1977, I starting reading a devotional every morning.  It was just what I needed to help me focus and structure my time. I’ve incorporated devotional reading in my quiet times with God for decades now. I think most people could benefit from that format.  The fact that I wrote a devotional comes back to my desire to be relevant and encouraging.

3. What authors inspire your writing?
Oswald Chambers; Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby

4.What are some of your favorite books and/or authors?  Are some of these the same as authors that inspire your writing?
I read non-fiction more than fiction, and books on religion and spirituality, in particular.  I like devotionals.  I love Oswald Chambers and have read his complete works. Man’s Search for Meaning is one of my favorite non-fiction books. The classics and the “must-reads” for the college bound were foundational for me.  Jane Eyre is my all-time favorite book.  I read novels by Daniel Silva and John Grisham, and occasionally a Stephen King novel.  All the Light We Cannot See is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.

5. What did your writing process for this devotional look like?
My devotional, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea evolved from my own personal devotional time. I journaled about my personal experiences as I read and studied God’s word. It occurred to me I could turn those meditations into devotionals. The book is an overflow of my relationship and love for the Lord, and I wanted to share that with others in order that others might come to know Him and grow in their spiritual journey as well.

6. Which audience do you hope to reach with this devotional?
God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea is uniquely appropriate for working mothers, but it’s also for anyone who wants to put their Christianity into practice in their everyday moments and go deeper into God’s word.  Men and couples are enjoying it as well.  This devotional is simple enough for the newest believer, yet deep enough to make a life-long Christian feel challenged to go higher.  There are 52 devotions followed by questions for journaling, suggested scriptures for further reading, a prayer, a sweet tea moment (thought for the day), and a prayer focus.  Those extra helps allow the reader to use this as a personal or group study.

7. What is the significance of “sweet iced tea” you refer to in the title?
I can’t ever do without God. He is a real and vital part of my day. On a lighter note, sweet iced tea is another thing I can’t do without each day. A sweet tea lover since childhood, I remember getting in trouble at the dinner table for drinking all my tea at once, then barely tasting the food on my plate. Still today, I have a glass of iced tea in my hand too much of the time. So, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea seemed like a light-hearted title for this devotional. For all intents and purposes, your devotional time is a time for intimate conversation, like chatting with a friend as you sip a glass of tea or cup of coffee.

Nothing is more refreshing than a glass of sweet iced tea, except those God moments to treasure.  I can’t do without the Lord who is with me through every moment of my day. And those moments where He shows Himself are the most refreshing.  The “sweet iced tea” says it’s personal.

Here is what I thought......

I have really enjoyed this devotional. I like the way that it was put together. It gives you some insight into the subject and then gives you the opportunity to search for yourself. I also enjoyed the spots where she gives you questions to answer if you'd like to go deeper into the topic as well as a prayer to pray. I think my favorite part of this devotional was the sweet tea moments. These were a condensed reminder of what the day's lesson was on. I have enjoyed reading through this devotional and can't wait to use it for my daily devotions. I received this book for free from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.


Here is an example of one of the devotionals in the book.

Perfect Peace

​You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trust in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

​I visited the home improvement store recently and enjoyed the background music as I browsed the aisles. The cashier was listening too, because as I checked out, she actually started singing the lyrics of the catchy tune filling the airwaves.
            That’s when it got stuck in my head. I first noticed it as I waited at the traffic light. I was singing it in my mind. By the time I got to the grocery store, I was singing it out loud. It wasn’t even a song I liked. That wasn’t the end of it. It happened again the next day, and the next. When I started writing this, it happened again.
            Do you know what I mean? Have you ever had a song stuck in your head that wouldn’t go away? Maybe you heard it on the radio, in church, or in the grocery store, and it played over and over like a broken record.
            Unfortunately, negative thoughts, self-doubts, painful memories, and worry can get stuck in our minds as well. Even though we don’t like it, those negative thoughts can play over and over again, causing us to lose our peace. For our mental and spiritual health, it’s important to control our thoughts.
            In Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV), Paul gives us a list:  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
            Could he have been any more direct? Here we have God’s will in simple terms. Paul said think about such things. I like the promise he gives:  The God of peace will be with you.
Suggested Readings:  Psalm 19:14; Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Philippians 4:8-9

Journaling Considerations:  Make a list of some negative thoughts that have worried you lately.
List the eight things Paul tells us to think about.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, as the Psalmist said, “May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in your sight.” Help me bring every thought into conformity to your will. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Today’s Sweet Tea Moment:  When I am preoccupied with stormy thoughts and worries, I will fix my mind on the One who calms the storm.Prayer Focus:  Those tormented by unholy thoughts.