Broken Crayons Still Color: From Our Mess to God's Masterpiece

By Shelley Hitz

Many times what we see as our biggest regrets, failures and mistakes become what God uses the most in our lives.

God transforms our brokenness into something more beautiful than we can even imagine. He takes our mess and creates a masterpiece.

You see, broken crayons still color.

Included i

• Language: English
• Publisher: Body and Soul Publishing LLC
• Release date: Oct 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781946118035

Shelley Hitz

Shelley Hitz is an award-winning and international best-selling author. However, she gives all the glory to God for what He is doing through her life. As she likes to say, “God is the author, I am simply the pen.” Shelley has been ministering alongside her husband, CJ, since 1998 and her main passion is to share God’s truth and the freedom in Christ she has found with others. She does this through her books, websites and speaking engagements. She is also the co-owner of BodyandSoulPublishing.com where she shares free Christian books on her blog, owner of Self-Publishing-Coach.com where she helps authors get published and noticed and co-founder of CrossReads.com where Christian readers and authors meet. The main reason Shelley writes and publishes Christian books is to share her testimony, use the gift of teaching God has given her and bring glory to God. Ironically, she never dreamed of being a published author and English was one of her worst subjects in school growing up. However, God is now using her weaknesses for His strength to impact many for eternity (2 Corinthians 12:9). She is humbled and amazed that He chooses to use her and her life goal is to keep her eyes fixed on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). Shelley’s openness and vulnerability as she shares her own story of hope and healing through her books will inspire and encourage you.

Book preview

PRAISE FOR

BROKEN CRAYONS STILL COLOR

Broken Crayons Still Color is a book of healing and hope. Full of wisdom, encouragement, and stories, its words show us over and over again our God who mends our hearts and restores our wholeness. Come alongside Shelley as she shares her story and you will find strength and nourishment for your own story.

Jean Wise, Writer, Speaker, Retreat Leader, and Spiritual Director www.healthyspirituality.org

Gorgeous. This book is a work of art. The words, the feelings, the questions, the art within the book. Shelley, thank you for your brave vulnerability as you help each of us see how miraculous we are! God loves us so much. He wants us to keep coloring.

Diane Cunningham, Coach, Author, Life Artist www.dianecunningham.com

As a Christian Counselor, I can see so many ways the Broken Crayons Still Color products can be used in the lives of the people we counsel.

The videos, the skillfully written and heartfelt prayers and words, the viewer’s guide and next steps, the coloring pages, and the reflection questions will gently touch participants on various levels using all senses!

It's hard to find a book about brokenness that so completely points those who are hurting to the Redeemer and gives them blessed hope. I so appreciate Shelley's vulnerability and honesty in sharing and her willingness to let Christ fill her life with Himself!

Karen Lindwall-Bourg, MA, LPC-Supervisor http://rhemacounseling.com

Shelley Hitz is an outstanding writer with a gift from God to help you experience God through the creativity of coloring. Through her own story of brokenness, healing, and deliverance, Shelley takes you through on a journey to help you start the process of healing, and letting go of the past. Broken Crayons Still Color will increase your faith and give you confidence in knowing that regardless of what you’ve gone through, God loves you and will take the pain of your past and use it for his glory. The coloring pages and interactive activities will help you dive deeper into the word of God, help you apply the word to your life, and provides you with an opportunity to reflect on God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

Dr. LaWanda N. Evans, Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, The Healthy Relationship Institute, www.drlne.com

Broken Crayons Still Color

FROM OUR MESS TO GOD’S MASTERPIECE

Shelley Hitz

Body and Soul Publishing LLC

Colorado Springs, CO

Broken Crayons Still Color: FROM OUR MESS TO GOD’S MASTERPIECE

Copyright © 2016 Shelley Hitz, Body and Soul Publishing LLC

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

Shelley Hitz

P.O. Box 6542

Colorado Springs, CO 80934

www.shelleyhitz.com

Book Layout ©2013 Book Design Templates

www.shelleyhitz.com/booktemplates

Ordering information for quantity sales:

Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the Special Sales Department at the address above.

Broken Crayons Still Color / Shelley Hitz, 1st Edition

ISBN-13:978-1-946118-01-1

ISBN-10:1-946118-01-X

Book cover image credit Molly McMillan, http://mollymcmillan.com

Edited by Deb Hall, http://thewriteinsight.com

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide, www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by Biblica, Inc.™\

Scripture marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version, public domain.

Scripture marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (AMPC) are taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMPC), Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org.

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Bonus Material:

Download the bonus material that corresponds with this book (coloring pages, scripture cards, etc.) here: www.brokencrayonsbook.com

Table of Contents

How to Use This Book

Introduction

Chapter One: The Beauty of Grace and Forgiveness

Chapter Two: Valuable and Loved

Chapter Three: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Chapter Four: It’s Time to SHINE

Chapter Five: Faith in a Sovereign God

Chapter Six: My Cup Overflows

Conclusion: Your Next Steps

Appendix

Recommended Resources

WHO AM I? Poem

Belief Filter

Leader’s Guide

How to Use This Book

Let me be honest with you for a moment.

I did not want to write this book. That’s right. I put off writing this book for almost a year.

I remember very clearly standing in my sister’s church on June 19, 2016, and although I did not hear an audible voice, God made it very clear to me I was to finish this project.

Being vulnerable and real, I share my own story of moving from my messes to God’s masterpiece inside this book. And believe me, I am still a work