Joan C. Webb » The Relief of Imperfection

Online Book Review of The Relief of Imperfection

Joan C Webb — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:15:00 +0000

Thank you to Deena Peterson, great online book reviewer for her recent glowing review of The Relief of Imperfection. Visit her at http://deenasbooks.blogspot.com/ to view her A Peek at My Bookshelf site. Read her “fun” book review of The Relief of Imperfection. Here it is:

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy reading books that help me see things more clearly, give me direction, and rely heavily on Scripture to guide me. I realize the Bible is more than sufficient, but sometimes reading an author’s thoughts puts things in perspective. . .

I’ve spent so many years of my life, performing and obeying for approval. Working myself to death for a morsel of self-acceptance, delivered by someone else to me. Striving to put forth the image of the woman who has it all together.

Honestly, if I did have it all together, I’d set it down somewhere and forget where it was! Once that soaked in to my soul, the pretense was gone (for the most part) and real life settled in.

I still struggle with perfection, which was why I was so grateful to receive a copy of “The Relief of Imperfection” by Joan C. Webb. Joan uses real life anecdotes and Scripture to reveal the joy of our imperfection is His perfection revealed in us.

Her book is divided into multiple sections for personal or small group study, beginning with “Preparing for Relief…What’s Wrong with Perfection”? Yes, dear reader friends…we have to prepare ourselves to be imperfect.

When you begin to read, you realize just how ingrained it is in us to put out the “June Cleaver” mom, the “Donna Reed” wife, and the “Martha Stewart” homemaker. But Joan’s wisdom and insight slowly unshackles us from those heavy yokes and sets us free to be. . .

Well, us! And it feels weird at first, to just be yourself in Jesus…but you get used to it!

Joan’s message is serious and intense, but her writing style is laced with humor. Just take a look at some chapter titles: “I Was Perfect Once, But I Didn’t Like It Much”; “When Playing God Is No Longer My Best Role”.

Now, I highly recommend that you read this book with your Bible, a journal and a highlighter nearby. Of course, you have total and complete freedom to read this book how it suits you…isn’t that GREAT!!

So, I’m giving “The Relief of Imperfection” six out of five bookmarks, with a tiny mirror as a charm…it’s time we got to know ourselves through Jesus’ eyes, and not our own…or the eyes of others.

Thanks, Joan! You’re perfectly imperfect!! LOL!! Love ya!

Happy Reading!

Deena

P.S. Joan has offered TWO copies of her book as giveaways. So visit my website, A Peek at my Bookshelf, at http://www.deenasbooks.blogspot.com/ and read the review for The Relief of Imperfection and I’ll pick a winner on March 15th!!

Valentine’s Day 2008

Joan C Webb — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:51:00 +0000

Happy Valentine’s Day 2008!

It’s Love Day! And my birthday. It’s a BIG one for me, but I’m not telling which one. I had a great day today. It wasn’t “perfect” because my husband was out of town, but it was wonderful. Sounds like The Relief of Imperfection! (Remember–Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful!)

Hey, I’ve been celebrating my birthday for weeks, ever since the “Relief” Book Launch on January 19 when my daughter Lynnette, son-in-law Adam, son Rich, and daughter-in-law Anne surprised me with a special memory book filled with notes, letters and well wishes from over 50 friends, colleagues, and family members sharing funny stories and birthday greetings. It warms my heart every time I read these messages. I’m a grateful woman!

Here’s some photos of that celebration night.

Above photo: My daughter-in-law Anne Webb giving me the Birthday Memory Book!

The 2nd photo includes (right to left) our son Rich, then daughter Lynnette Rasmussen, then my husband Richard, me (Joan) in the middle, and my friend Patty Parker (we’ve been friends since grade school and she was in our wedding) and Patty’s husband Frank Fara. Patty and Frank are in the music business (check out http://www.comstockrecords.com/).

3rd Photo: The Relief of Imperfection book table with my friend of twenty years Sue Theobald (on the left) who came all the way from Minnesota to Arizona to celebrate with us. On the right is Lisa Gifford (and her husband Bruce.) Lisa has one of the 35 stories of “relief” in The Relief of Imperfection. She and I are working together on some “Relief of Imperfection” projects. Kneeling down in front of the table with her back turned to the camera is Lynn Bragelman, the winner of the “Relief” basket give away.

Thank you to all of you who came out to The Relief of Imperfection Book Launch Celebration. And thank you to all of you who wrote personal Happy Birthday greetings for my Memory Book. You are part of the joy of my birthday this year. I’m smiling here!

Winner of January Free Book Drawing: Karla Patrick

Joan C Webb — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:57:00 +0000

Congrats to Karla Patrick of Cambridge, Minnesota! Karla won the January Free Book Drawing for an autographed copy of The Relief of Imperfection.

When notified that she had won the January drawing, Karla said, “Wonderful!! Thanks so much. I look forward to reading it. I really need it this week!

In the photo above, Karla and I smile at the camera when I visited Cambridge, MN. Enjoy reading through The Relief of Imperfection, Karla. May you find “glimpses of relief” in these pages. Thanks for signing up for this January drawing.

Maybe you will be the winner of the February drawing. Visit http://www.reliefofimperfection.com/ and send me an email request to be entered in the February drawing by clicking on the words CONTACT US on the left hand side of the HOME page. Then fill out the form and hit send and you’ll be entered. I’d love to hear from you.

Relief of Imperfection Women’s Retreat

Joan C Webb — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:14:00 +0000

Joy! I Don’t Have to Fix It All–Including You!

and

Numb and Number–When Trying Too Hard Dulls Your Soul

These were two of the topics included in The Relief of Imperfection Women’s Retreat at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Faith Community Church in Chandler, Arizona on January 26, 2008. We had interactive sessions on “The Relief of Imperfect Relationships and Families,” “The Relief of Imperfect Emotions, Minds and Bodies” and “The Relief of Imperfect Faith, Prayer, and Spirituality.”

I so enjoyed sharing with these women last Saturday. These are women with varied backgrounds and talents, but all with hearts for God and their families. Lisa Gifford, a professional woman with four young children who has a personal story in The Relief of Imperfection, joined me in sharing/presenting at the one day retreat. Lisa snapped pictures of some of the women. Is your picture here?

"The Relief of Imperfection" Book Basket Winner!

Joan C Webb — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:52:00 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS TO LYNN BRAGELMAN!

On January 19, 2008 at the Book Launch Celebration for Joan C. Webb’s new book, The Relief of Imperfection, Lynn Bragelman was the lucky winner of a “Relief” basket.

The gift basket included a copy of The Relief of Imperfection, a lovely journal, pen, yummy chocolate, fragrant candle, popcorn, and gourmet hot chocolate.

Relax and enjoy, Lynn!