Everybody wants to know that they matter, that their life counts for something. There are many non Christian books, movies, and even art work that have references to the spiritual, to something of more significance than an ordinary mundane life. That proves to me that we are spiritual beings. We are self-transcending. We have something in us that causes us to reach beyond ourselves and connect with something greater and larger that makes a difference. If we don’t find the right source, then we stay lost and we never find fulfillment.
I think a lot of people are off track. Instead of going after what really matters, they fill the void, that thing that makes them thirsty, with other things…It might be focusing on their looks, or a career, or even acquiring beautiful things. But if that is their main focus they still feel lost and hollow.
I think that was what I was after when I wrote The Treasure Seeker: Finding Love and Value in the Arms of Your Loving Heavenly Father. I want people to know that there’s something much more valuable out there and if we only look for it, we will find it. That something is God and he also wants, more than anything, to be in a close spiritual union with us. The Treasure Seeker is written with both the seeker and the follower in Christ in mind. It’s about being lost and found. It’s about mutually seeking, and an ongoing seeking where once we enter into that relationship, we allow God to work in us to make us into something truly valuable. But it also means coming to grips with our rough edges, the part of us that we may feel is valueless. To God it all has value.
The book came about as I came to realize this truth and I began to see the repeated theme of treasure in the Bible and trash to treasure in my own life and in the ministry my husband and I serve in at Java Journey our coffee shop ministry which ministers to broken and discarded people. I began to collect and weave the stories of lost treasure I found and the stories of lost treasure in the Bible to create a book that would bring out these truths and spur women on so that they would come to value a vibrant relationship with Christ. The book is intended to be used for personal study and spiritual growth as well as a tool for groups to study and grow together and I included thought-provoking questions at the end of the end of each chapter.
God has an amazing ability and grace to value the seemingly valueless. I want people to “get” that and to learn to treasure and encourage others who may feel overlooked.
About the author:
Teena Stewart is an author, ministry leader, and artist with hundreds
of published articles to her credit in the secular and Christian realm as well as numerous books. Her current focus is on helping others find
value and beauty in themselves and others despite brokenness and transforming them into authentic, mature Christ followers.
When she isn’t writing, she is creating artwork and jewelry treasures (often from discarded and found objects) or leading ministry for Java
Journey–an innovative coffee shop ministry in Hickory, NC–whose mission is similar to her own, to provide hope and restoration to the hurting and broken by sharing Christ’s story, showing His love and by empowering the restored to serve others.
THE TREASURE SEEKER: FINDING LOVE AND VALUE IN THE ARMS OF YOUR LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER
One of the toughest women’s issues is that many women, even the most outwardly self-assured ones, wrestle with feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness. Though women want to believe they have value, messages bombard them daily, telling them that if they don’t look a certain way, dress a certain way, drive a certain car, weigh a certain weight, or work in a certain type of career, they have little value..
Stewart casts God in the role of a heavenly Treasure Seeker who knows every woman’s true value and will stop at nothing to recover her, His cherished one. He longs to come into a close, loving relationship so that she can not only feel cherished but also cherish Him, the greatest treasure of all.
Through practical truth this Christian Living book will draw women closer to the Treasure Seeker who takes on the role of Master Jeweler and lovingly shapes, refines, polishes, even incorporating her flaws, to transform her into a jewel of stunning beauty. He will help her find her remarkable true worth so that she becomes the dazzling gemstone she was meant to be.
Unique accompaniments:
-
Intriguing treasure stories
-
A study of the “Lost” parables including the lost coin, the lost sheep, the prodigal son, the treasure hidden in a field, and the pearl of great price
-
Points to ponder at the end of each chapter for reflection and discussion
-
A chapter highlighting gemstone attributes allowing readers to determine which gemstone they are most like
-
A Treasure Seeker Jewelry line created by author/artist Teena Stewart available at a discount through her website when you purchase the book
Her two most recent books include:
The Treasure Seeker: Finding Value and Love in the Arms of Your Loving Heavenly Father (Wine Press). http://tinyurl.com/ae4vfyw Author and artist Teena Stewart uses the “lost” parables and treasure stories to illuminate the precious relationship to be had between us and our Heavenly Father. He transforms us into gems of stunning beauty and shows us our remarkable potential and true worth. Teena designed a Treasure Seeker jewelry line that ties in with the book.
Mothers and Daughters: Mending a Strained Relationship (Beacon Hill). http://tinyurl.com/aqdmp83 A book that will help you name your hurts, face the barriers that stand in the way of a healthy mother daughter relationship, and forgive what feels unforgivable. Learn to cultivate a friendship, communicate more effectively, and become a part of the change you want to see. There is hope for restoration and renewal.
2/17 &- 2/18 the Kindle version of Treasure Seeker will be offered free on Amazon Here’s the link http://tinyurl.com/bcgmxak
Contact info:
(writing) www.teenastewart.com & http://nearly-brilliant.blogspot.com/
(art) www.serendipitini.com, & http://serendipitini.blogspot.com/
(ministry) www.javajourney.org
(Facebook) http://www.facebook.com/teena.stewart
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Teena-M-Stewart/216334111720519
Twitter @TeenaStewart1
Mail to a friend