Author: Marsha Mott Jordan

ISBN: 0-9771434-4-2

The following review was contributed by: Sue Vogan: To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here

Marsha Mott Jordan, better known as "The Peanut Butter Queen," declares that the word "joy" is seen around everywhere -- especially during holidays. She goes on to say that "many of us suffer with health problems, money problems, relationship problems, addictions, depression, or loss of a loved one." So, how does she find joy? She explains that "joy is that deep down peace in your heart you feel when you know things will be alright." And, at the back of her book, "Hugs, Hope and Peanut Butter," she lists what we must understand in order to realize our joy.

Ms. Jordan's "Hugs, Hope and Peanut Butter" is an uplifting read for the entire population. If you're not seeing the rainbow for the clouds, this book is an intelligent choice. If the words do not brighten your day, the illustrations by the critically ill children...Tabitha Grace M., Ronnie R., Caleb L., Tiara B., Jimmy C., Sarina S., Elizabeth S., and Michael H., should do the job. Even the jacket cover is a child's artwork. But, if either of these fail, the book is bursting with humorous anecdotes that will surely make the sun poke through your clouds.

A Christian writer, Ms. Jordan uses Bible verses to support each of her chapters. In the "Learning to Trust" chapter, she speaks about "selfish desires and lack of self-control" that leads "down a destructive path." Marsha sends the message home with a quote from Philippians 3:18-20, "many walk...that are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their appetite...who set their minds on earthly things." In a box opposite the page, Marsha writes, "When we seek God to satisfy our longings, our appetites are likely to change and we may find that things of this world no longer seem so important." These back up her story about the bear that wandered into her back yard, smashing the bird feeder, in search of food. Marsha states that, "I think it's safe to say that hunger is hazardous to your health," because the bear was in her territory. She asks, "Don't our appetites get us into trouble?" "Cravings for clothes, cars, houses, power, money sex, control, praise or status can be hazardous to your health." Ms. Jordan further points out a story about Essau who was hungry and "made the impulsive decision to forfeit his greatest possession" -- his birthright.

Marsha chose "one of her favorite verses" for her "Choose to Dance" chapter -- "Choose for yourselves," Joshua 24:15. She claims that "you and I really have one basic choice to make in life and that core choice determines our actions. It's the choice between right and wrong." She completes the chapter with, "No one can go back and make a brand-new start, but anyone can start from here and make a brand-new end." How fitting for each of us.

This book is an easy, uplifting read. It has something for almost everyone in  almost every situation.