This book wasn’t really what I expected, because I expected a story. But it was a good book. I loved all the shareworthy quotes, all the nuggets of wisdoms, and just all the authors thoughts and biblical thoughts added. But I didn’t get onboard with it completely, though I agreed and was in the same mindset with it, it just didn’t impact me in the way I thought it would. But a good book.

Robin says in her book that her purpose for writing it is so the reader “will know what it means to live well and die well.”

This book is for those who are going through illness, trials and facing death, for those closest to them, their loved ones, and for those who want to know how best to support and care for them.

Each chapter includes:
- Nuggets of wisdom (Scripture to comfort and encourage)
- Treasure Chest (a summary of the key points)
- Shareworthy (quotes)

Within the chapters, Robin shares examples from her own life when she faced a life-threatening illness, examples from those she has ministered to in their suffering and examples from the men and women of the Bible.

Not only is this book full of Scriptural truths and promises, it is also full of practical suggestions and help. In the appendix, “Love in Action”, Robin provides advice/suggestions/practical tips on creating a positive environment, visiting with the one who is suffering, ways to help and support, and the importance of communication and prayer.

In her book we read how God’s Word is our most valuable source (our treasure chest), that Jesus is our firm foundation, we read about the role of the Holy Spirit, about love, hope, and faith, how to fight fear, the importance of forgiveness in our healing, what it really means to surrender ourselves to God and the truth for all believers that heaven is our home.

There were 3 chapters which particularly stood out to me:

Chapter 5: This chapter focuses on the hope we have in God and was such an encouragement to me.

Chapter 10: This chapter was really helpful as I was struggling with a particular trial at the time and what Robin wrote really spoke to me. She reminded me that “God sees. God hears. God knows. God cares.”

Chapter 11: In this chapter, Robin clearly shares the truth of the Gospel message. She urges us all to come to Christ and receive him as Saviour. It’s a great chapter for anyone who is undecided about choosing a relationship with Jesus.

I recommend this book to anyone who feels they need encouragement, who wants to be strengthened in their faith and in their hope in God. If that’s you, then this book is worth reading, even if you or a loved one is not in the midst of suffering and trials. It is also a helpful resource for when you or someone you know and love is suffering.

We are all going to die. It may sound like I will be reviewing another cozy mystery, but you would be wrong. Hidden Treasures is a wonderful collection of devotionals focusing on the topic of death — not gruesomely, but as one looking forward to a joyous homecoming. It comes with the heart of a chaplain — though the author is not one. The stories are warm and encouraging.

The book is designed to help those who are dying, those who will walk alongside those, and those who have lost a loved one. The book is partly memoir, partly devotional, and partly self-help — all focusing on preparing us for our own death or the death of a loved one

The author has done this well – so well that as I look forward to Christmas, I am planning to make a gift of this book to each of the members of my small congregation of senior citizens living in community at a senior apartment complex. The book will be a blessing to those who choose to read a single entry or the entire book.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Author Robin Bertram with her 25 years of prayer ministry has written Hidden Treasures : Finding Hope at the End of Life's Journey as a resource to help us get through these difficult times. I found the scriptures that she used throughout the book to be very helpful. I believe Robin's purpose in the book was to give us practical solutions, to the problems everyone will deal with at one time or another. We all will face the death of a love one or terminal illness of our self or a love one. I found Robin to be a great storyteller. I found her personal stories or examples to be very interesting. But I did not find the resources or help that I was hoping to gain from reading this book. I rated this book a 3.5 but had to give it a 4. I received this book from Abingdon Press through Net Galleys. The opinion expressed in this review is completely my own.

Everyone will face death, it is a universal truth for everyone on this planet. People face death in many ways, some people face death alone, some face it with family, friends, or in a group.
This book discusses how people have face death: some people have anger, fear, depression or even courage and faith.
The purpose of this book is stated masterfully in this quote : “As you read this book, you will gain understanding of how to approach those who are facing long-term or terminal illness and their families and to bring comfort to them during their time of struggle. You will have a better picture of heaven as you read the personal accounts of those facing death.”
The author also challenges the reader to reflect on their own life and think about what mattered in their life, did they focus their lives on heavenly or earthly treasures? Was their relationship with Jesus the most important one, or were other relationships more important?
How can we live the rest of our lives with purpose, love and dedication?
Read this book and find out!