Fields of Joy

by Ruth Chou Simons

Preach Truth to Your Heart

God's Word leaves a legacy of joy as we live by it, build upon it, and let it transform our minds and shape our hearts.

From bestselling author and creator of GraceLaced comes a book combining Scripture and affirmations to inspire you to rejoice in all things. With 58 specially selected scriptures, each accompanied by hand-painted artwork and a short, heartfelt truth to direct your thoughts to find joy in your Savior. 

We were made for joy.

And yet, true and lasting happiness is sometimes harder to hold on to than it seems. With one thought, one word, it can slip out of our grasp.

In a world of countless counterfeits, if you struggle to cultivate and experience true joy, Ruth Chou Simons offers these short meditations alongside her beautiful hand-painted artwork to encourage you to preach truth to your own heart. As you memorize Scripture and find encouragement in Ruth’s words, you’ll be transformed as you learn to “rejoice in the Lord always.”  

“These powerful reminders of God’s faithfulness will drive you to further dependence on His Word and a greater cultivation of lasting joy.” –Ruth Chou Simons
 

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity, Religion, Christian Living, Christian Non Fiction

120 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2020

About the author

Ruth Chou Simons is a Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author of several books and Bible studies, including GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, When Strivings Cease, and Now and Not Yet. She is an artist, podcaster, speaker, and the founder, CEO, and Chief Creative Officer of GraceLaced, an art and lifestyle brand. Simons uses each of these platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people’s hearts, making deep truths beautifully accessible with her signature art and relatable communication style.

Simons has been featured on Good Morning America, Fox, Christianity Today, and Hallmark Home and Family. Ruth and her husband, Troy, live in Western Colorado and are grateful parents to six boys—their greatest adventure.

Connect with Ruth on social media at @ruthchousimons.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each page had beautiful paintings accompanied by so many great bible verses. Throughout the book, Ruth focuses on finding true joy in Christ. It was a little book, but I loved it.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

An up lifting book.

[Courtney Stroup · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful little work by Ruth Chou Simons. [For best/most influential reading, I would suggest doing one painting & accompanying verse/affirmation a day instead of blowing through it to meet a reading goal.]

Caveat — even though I read this quickly, this little book does share some powerful, poignant truths about how to have TRUE joy… even when life is hard or feelings are false.

Her paintings, as always, are incredibly beautiful.

I rated the book lower because it’s not as all-around awesome or life-changing like her other books… but should you own this book if you’re a fan of Ruth’s stuff? 110%!

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is slightly different from Ruth's other devotional books. Instead of short chapters, each page of this book is a short, encouraging paragraph with a coordinating scripture and beautiful artwork.

I marked tabbed several pages for times when I might need reminders of this or that.

A lovely, short devotional that I'll be reading again.

[Wendy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book of short paragraphs and scriptures on joy.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was nothing like the other book I've read by this author, and at first I didn't like the format. The pictures are of course gorgeous, but the text of each page is simply a few lines and then a related verse.

As I continued to read, however, I began to appreciate that approach. Expressing only one thought per page serves to give each one a greater weight and allows the reader to focus on that one thought.

I read this in one sitting, but I think it would be better to take it maybe a page or two at a time. I would like to revisit this in the future, reading more slowly and taking the time to digest each truth before moving on.

Some quotes that stood out to me:

Rejoicing isn't optional or conditional for believers. Unlike waves of emotion or excitement, true joy is unaffected by changes in circumstances becuse our hope in Jesus always remains.

Trust begets joy when anchored to a Savior whose purposes are always His glory and our good.

Maybe you're in a night season...remember that morning is coming. Whether it's here or in eternity with Christ, joy will prevail even as the cross overcame the grave.

Combat indifference and weariness with biblical truth. It brings joy, hope, and light to the heart that receives it.

We will not lack gladness if we are perpetually recounting the good and merciful works of the Lord in our lives.

How we approach today is determined by whom we believe it belongs to.

Preaching truth to our own hearts with the good news of Jesus is the antidote to anxious thoughts and our anchor to joy.

[Kissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

If there is one aspect of this book that brings me joy, it's the various nature watercolor paintings featured. For the actual textual content, I came away not feeling as inspired as I hoped I would. The phrases included on the painting pages were at times hard with the cursive font used. A majority of the reflections on the biblical content about joy either came off as flat or were almost exact wording of the biblical quotations featured.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures besides words of wisdom, and a Bible verse of joy. Though this is short, I highly recommend taking this book and reading over several days so you can get the full beauty and scope of the art and words. I divided it up for Lent as I wanted words of joy in my morning alongside my coffee. It was a delight to read a little each day.

[Liza Lehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a lovely little book full of beautiful artwork and short meditations on joy. I struggled with knowing how to read it, though, since you can get through it in less than an hour, but then all the truths blend together, and you miss the whole point. You can also read a couple of pages a day and make your reading more impactful, but it will take you almost a month.

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy is my word for 2023. This was a good light read with a mini devotional on each page that puts each biblical verse on joy into perspective. Very refreshing and encouraging to my walk in joyfulness ❤️

[Michelle Cotnoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so lovely, and brought me much joy. Each entry has a beautiful watercolor with a devotional thought and verse to accompany it, all meant to remind us of all we truly have to be joyful for in God.

[Susan L Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feeling Joy

I love the minute,thoughts and the,scriptures,,. I will be,combining this book with my prayer journal. The Word has,a very unique way of lifting me up on a good or bad day. Beautiful art work too.

[Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple.....powerful.....visually comforting.....read in a sitting then savor Scripture by Scripture for days.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The paintings were beautiful, the sentences accompanying the paintings sometimes clunky.

[Deon]

1.99 on kindle
april 5, 2021

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and scriptures.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book

[Mary Garrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Would make a great gift option. Short meditations and Scriptures alongside Ruth's artwork.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want watercolors paired with scriptural truth then this is for you. Truth and beautiful promises.

[Kara Cutler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple and brief book of scripture, meditations, and lovely artwork to go alongside each one.

[Marie Angus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very encouraging little book. Would be a great gift! I read it all one morning but it would be great to read a page a day.

[Erin Mae Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not deep, but beautiful and inspirational

[Heather P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures and short little uplifting statements that accompany the verse.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Words and Paintings! A wonderful way to start my day! God Bless!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 seconds a day to read a Bible verse and see a pretty picture. But some of them hit at just the right time.