Some twenty years ago, while rummaging through Goodwill, I stumbled upon an interesting book. As I leafed through its pages my heart began to stir. Soft, refreshing breezes awakened deep longings. Every word seemed to jump right off the page into the depths of my spirit. I had to have this book and who could turn down a twenty-cent price tag. Curious, I closed the book in order to find out who could author such lovely words and was pleasantly surprised by the title, Come Away My Beloved by Frances Roberts. The title fit my heart’s response to the words within. I could hear my Father in heaven whispering to me through her dialogs, “Come.”
Since that day, Come Away My Beloved has been a constant companion and source of encouragement, instruction, conviction, hope, comfort and inspiration. Now tattered and torn by years of use, it has been placed carefully away among my favorite treasures as I break in a new updated version.
What an amazing person Frances Roberts was and still is. A few months ago I had the privilege of speaking with Frances on the phone. What a blessing this was. You see, Frances was and is my inspiration. Through her devotions, I learned how to journal my times with God and record His thoughts. I can only hope to touch as many lives through my writings as she has.
All her works speak of a life submitted to God and His Word. She is a graduate of Moody Bible College, previous state director for Child Evangelism Fellowship, and has worked as a professional accompanist. To her credit, eighty-eight of her hymns have been published. Since establishing her publishing company, King’s Press in 1964 she as sold over 1.5 million books. Come Away My Beloved simply breathes the heart of God, demonstrating His great love.
Are you curious? I hope so, because what awaits you is not a devotional about or to God but a devotional from God to you and me. Come Away My Beloved is a compilation of six of Frances Robert’s works into one volume. Simply put, it is an invitation for some one-on-one time with Jesus. Twenty-five cents, not even enough to make a phone call, has procured for me twenty years of priceless conversation with Jesus, the Lover of my soul. I sincerely hope as you read the treasures within this book your life will be as enriched and blessed as mine.
Brenda
Dear Brenda
Your website is a blessing. I’m living a life of hope once again and waiting for God to move on my behalf. I found out who I really am and I make sure that I shine for God everyday. I am a dreamer and waiting for God to grant me my heart desires as I live a life of purpose and fulfillment..I am God solitary star his 5 star general in an army. I have the courage of Esther,and He is pleased with my heart of compassion. All Glory be to God who grants His servants’ heart desires
Over 20 some years ago I came across the same book, “Come Away My Beloved.” I don’t even remember how it came into my possession anymore. But I do remember the day the Lord spoke to me through that book. I was sitting at my desk at the office. I had quit my job after 20 years, and had just gone back to work to try and save my marriage, a long story. The Lord had opened the doors for me to go back. I loved my job but it was only temporary in that particular position, I was filling in for someone on leave of absence. And then one day as I sat at my desk, I was told the lady was coming back, and there was going to be cutbacks throughout the state in my classification and job openings. There was one catch, there was a place that was hiring up the street, where if hired, I would be pretty safe, without chance of being furloughed. After going for the interview and being accepted, I cried for days. The place looked like a dungeon, and I didn’t like having to leave the job I loved. As I was so distressed at my desk one day, I picked up that book on my lunch hour to glance through it. It opened to Look Not Back. It started out by saying, Behold, I have you in the palm of my hand, and there I have built a nest. Wow! I knew the Lord was gonna be with me and make it all ok……and He did! In the following years, I used the book and let God speak to me through the Words. I recommend it to anyone.
Daja,
Welcome to Journals of the Heart. We are so glad you found us and hope you are blessed by what the Lord is doing here.
Yes it is a wonderful book and has encouraged me to write the way I do…and now I have a book coming out done in an interactive devotional style…kind of an amped up version. It is called Carvings In His Palm, What God Thinks When He Whispers Your Name…I can only hope it will minister to others as much as Come Away My Beloved has ministered to me.
Blessings Brenda
Brenda, Yesterday I found your site and as I was reading I kept thinking about my old devotional Come Away My Beloved. My copy is about 30 yrs. bought brand new in the 1970’s. So today when I came across your review I was blessed to see that others were touched by a devotional that I thought was out of print. I often would buy copies and give them to friends in need of the Lords encouragement. Thank you for your obedience to keep the Heart of the Lord available to those who are in those times of need. Deborah
Deborah,
Thank you for the kind comment…just this morning my husband and I were discussing whether to take the review down now that I have written a book and we decided not to…one must give honor to whom honor is due…and what I do now is partially a result of her book and His Word working in my heart.
I had the privilege of speaking with Frances several times by phone…even at such a ripe age she was amazing and still passionate for Him…as far as I know she is still alive…it has been almost a year or more since we last spoke…
Her book is now in reprint in everyday English…some think my Carvings In His Palm book is a bit like hers but we all have different personalities and reflect Him differently…
I still have my 20 cent copy on display on my shelf…it is to ragged to read for fear of messing up…I understand you can still get copies of the original book from her…how cool is that…the Lord working through her saved me on many a dark day…I only pray I can do the same…and you are most welcome Deborah…
Blessings and welcome to Journals of the Heart
In His name
Brenda