Tag: gifts

Coming Soon: Out from the Shadows: 31 Devotions for the Weary Caregiver

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Coming Soon…

 

Out from the Shadows: 31 Devotions for the Weary Caregiver

 

 

No place is so dark, no shadow so deep, that God can’t find us…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After nearly two years in the making, my newest book is almost ready for its March release. The editors and design team at Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas have done a masterful job of guiding me through the process. Although this is my second book, I’ve discovered that traditional publishing is much different than self-publishing. I’ve had a lot to learn. It’s been hard work, too, but I’m honored to have this opportunity to share with others.

       “There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” -Rosalynn Carter

If you’re not a caregiver now, it’s likely that you have taken care of someone you love at some point in your life. You know the daily stresses they endure.

Perhaps you know someone who cares for a family member or have received care when you were injured or ill. Out from the Shadows is a collection of thirty-one stories that pull back the veil on the unique joys and challenges of caregiving. Why not refresh someone you know with a gift of hope? Out from the Shadows is now available for pre-order at amazon.com. Order early and save $.99 over the regular price.

We still have a lot to do before the book launches. Dragonfly Core is producing a book trailer which I’m very excited about. It will feature some people I love and tell a story I’ve been dying to shout to the world:

Caring for others is one of the most important jobs you will ever have.

 

The Perfect Gift

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Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
-Revelation 19:6

It’s another Christmas Eve.

The tree sits in multicolored splendor in our living room, guarding the presents lovingly set under its branches in readiness for tomorrow’s festivities. It’s not quite ready, though. I still have one more run to town to run that last errand. There’s also one more gift I’m mulling over today as I sit here with you.

What do I give a king?

Kings must be the hardest people to buy for. They can have whatever they want. A person who possesses enough money and power can get pretty much all his needs and wants satisfied. He can even buy the feigned loyalty of those around him. There’s only one thing a king can’t buy:

Love.

Oh, he can get affection. He can get “like.” But I’m talking about passionate love, the head-over-heels adoration that sees no fault in its beloved; a love that gives sacrificially and completely and with a full heart.

A love like God’s.

This season commemorates Love Incarnate, the total giving of God’s best and highest and most adored treasure: His own Son. In this Son, He didn’t give us a half-hearted gift. He bestowed upon us – the undeserving and uncaring – the most valuable thing He had to offer:

Eternal life.

Not just in eternity. Life now, on this earth, every day.

What a gift! What a God! What awe it should inspire in us every moment of every day!

What do we dwell on?

Humans have a bad habit of minimizing the good others do for us while inflating perceived wounds. In the course of a normal day, which event are we more likely to replay over and over in our minds, the kindness from another, or an insult?

We especially do this with God. Most of us awaken each morning (Miracle #1) in a warm bed (Miracle #2) and never even once remember to be grateful for each gift of life, health, and provision God gives us. Day in and day out, we accept these gifts without so much as a simple “Thank you.”

Forget the love.

But let something go wrong. What is our first reaction? If we’re honest, we’ll admit our first thought is usually to shake our fist at heaven and shout, “Why me, God?” Did we arise that morning and raise our hands to heaven and shout with equal fervor, “You are so good to me, God!“? It’s easy to take for granted that which hasn’t cost us anything. Until we hurt. Then we miss what we didn’t realize we had.

This Christmas, the King asks for only one gift. It won’t cost much. But it must be extravagant.

Give Him your heart.

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