Need a Gift Idea? Try This New Book Releasing Monday, November 4th...
Friends! Checkout the snippets below from a brand-new book, rolling hot off the press next Monday, November 4th! Perfect timing for stocking up on Christmas gifts or if you need a gift idea for ANY REASON, THIS is your ticket:
Run, don’t walk to your nearest bookstore next week and grab Lucinda (Cindy) Secrest McDowell’s newest book, Life-Giving Choices: 60 Days to What Matters Most.
You’ll be astonished at all the words (60 entries!) Cindy blesses us with. Each day and topic concludes with a prayer and a question prompting you to take action. Carol Kent calls it a “timeless devotion.” I agree, and when I finished, I started all over again!
Cindy tells us, “It is actually within our power to decide each day HOW we will live out numerous interruptions.” She adds, “Don’t settle for the good when you can choose the best.”
She shows us exactly how to do this in our everyday lives. You’ll find it very empowering. Carol Kent says Life-Giving Choices will greatly impact the way you live your life.”
One of many favorite quotes in the book is:
My three favorite entries are: Choose to be Fearless, Choose Serenity, and Choose Friendship, but ALL of the other entries are well worth studying and pondering.
#8 is all about tackling fear, “Choose to be Fearless.” Cindy offers four practical tips: (the first two will get you rolling...you’ll have to read the chapter to get the rest!)
“1 - Be assured of God’s constant presence in hard times.
2 - Trust God is stronger than anything the enemy can send your way.”
Cindy includes this quote from Max Lucado in his book, Fearless, which kills me:
#25 is “Choose Serenity.” I suppose this resonated with me because I always desire, but would rarely say I’m on serenity overload. Sigh...more like “calendar overload”, which incidentally is of my own making...
What I especially love about this entry is Cindy spells out the word “serenity,” attaching a lovely word with each letter, i.e. “S” for still, “E” for established, “R” for restored...(You don’t want to miss this entry!) and each letter is loaded with pertinent Scripture.
The entry opens with one of my favorite verses, Jeremiah 17:7-8 in The Message which says,
Note we’re to “put down roots”, “NEVER worrying,” “ALWAYS bearing fruit,” all the while trusting the Lord. My friend, Liz, and I were talking yesterday about our older friends who still faithfully trot (optimistic verb for us future “old folk”) to Bible study year, after year, after year. We agreed we want to do exactly the same thing.
I confess it’s not a good thing if I’m not in Bible study (I’ve learned that the hard way). The bonus from Bible study is being held accountable, and mining for more nuggets of gold in God’s Word. Kelly Minter coined the phrase “relational serenity” regarding fellowship with your friends and how this concept is even more beautiful when we’re planting our faces in the Word, “putting down roots” together.
This brings me to my 3rd favorite entry, #44, “Choose Friendship.” Cindy uses Proverbs 27:9, “A sweet friendship refreshes the soul” to begin with and adds, “Grace is always the best formula for friendships.”
Also in this section, we get to read a quote from Eugene Peterson in his book, Leap Over a Wall: Earthly Spirituality for Everyday Christians. Look how he depicts friendship:
Let’s close with a beautiful prayer from #49, “Choose Rest.” This entry ranks up there with the one on serenity. The prayer sucker punched me while also encouraging me. Right about NOW I’m off for a much-needed nap!
Enjoy:
Now you know what I’m going to say, Run! Don’t walk to your nearest bookstore and grab this brand-new most helpful devotional, surely to bless you and your friends.
Don’t miss Cindy’s website: lucindasecrestmcdowell.com
‘Til next time!
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the page above are “affiliate links.”