From Blog To Published Book!

I have some exciting news, blog-readers. I wrote my first book last year and Zondervan is releasing it this July! The title is “365 Devotions to Embrace What Matters Most.”

I have you to thank for this. I started this blog several years ago, and while my posts have waned lately, the articles I’ve written–and that you have so kindly responded to–were in many ways the inspiration for the content of the book. This blog has been my “playground” for developing my voice as a writer, and that voice is now going to be read (hopefully) by a lot more people.

I wrote the book as a conversation. And an invitation. The language is real-world and practical. It’s meant both for the spiritual veteran who’d like some course-correction and for the person who has never given much thought to spiritual matters, but would like to explore that journey.

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

It’s already available for pre-order in both hardback and ebook on Amazon if you want to be first in line! I hope you’ll buy it and read it. I hope that if you like it, you’ll tell your friends about it (you can share this post on Facebook if you like!). I believe in the message it sends. And I believe that, despite myself, God is going to use it to encourage and guide many who long for a life that matters.

ABOUT THE FLOWERS

I never thought I’d have to be literal with the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but I will do so here. While I’m deeply grateful to Zondervan for publishing the book and understand that they know far more than me about how to sell a book, the cover reflects a more narrow marketing strategy than I would have preferred. Far more women buy devotional books than men, so that’s been their decided target audience.

But, believe me…inside the cover, the book is 100% for both men and women. So, a note to my male readers: your man-card is in no jeopardy whatsoever by reading this book! And if you still have some misgivings, I can suggest some nice camouflage or duck tape slip covers to retain your reputation (or just buy the ebook and no one will know).

SNEAK PEEK!

To give you more of an idea of what’s in the book, here’s a sneak peek from the introduction, and a summary of weekly themes:

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“Time can get away from us.

Sure, occasionally time seems to muddle on forever—when we feel like our workday will never end, or we’re watching the clock in school, thinking the bell will never ring. But the older we get, the more we realize that minutes have become hours, days have become months, years have become decades—and suddenly half of our lives have passed and we wonder where the time went and, more importantly, how we actually spent that time.

Did we step out the door to see the world and discover its wonders? Or did we waste it, moving from one favorite television show to the next? Did we find out what we were called to do and push forward through obstacles, such as tight finances, lack of education, or the desire to further

refine our character? Or did we allow fear or laziness to win the day and spend our lives settling for jobs that left us less than inspired? Did we embrace the richness of close relationships and family? Or did we go from one superficial encounter to the next, running away when life got too messy? Tick . . . tick . . . tick.

If you’re reading this, the clock hasn’t stopped for you. As long as you’re breathing out and breathing in, you still have time make the rest of your life matter. And although the clock hasn’t stopped, I would like you to stop. For a few moments each day, spend a little time meditating

on the things that matter. Things such as:

• who you are, why you’re here, and what you should

do about it.

• how you see the world.

• how to free yourself from the rat race.

• the importance of your relationships.

• what’s wrong and how to make it right.

• how to become a better human being.

Think deeply on what matters. Then take the necessary steps to begin embracing a life that matters.”

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PART 1: Who you are, why you’re here, and what you should do about it

Your Identity Matters
Your Purpose Matters
Your Growth Matters
Your Learning Matters
Your Wisdom Matters
Your Productivity Matters
Your Adventures Matter

PART 2: How you see the world

Your Perspective Matters
Your Focus Matters
Your Sense Of Reality Matters
Your Sense Of Wonder Matters
Your Awareness Of Creation Matters
Your Awareness Of Art Matters
Your Awareness Of Industry Matters
Your Awareness Of Time Matters

PART 3: How to free yourself from the rat race

Rest Matters
Peace Matters
Simplicity Matters
Provision Matters
Stability Matters
Personal Matters
Uncool Matters
Joy Matters
Living Matters 

PART 4: The importance of your relationships

Relationship Matters
Love Matters
Romance Matters
Family Matters
Parenting Matters
Friends Matter
Community Matters
Strangers Matter
God Matters

PART 5: What’s wrong and how to make it right

What’s Wrong Matters
Weakness Matters
Healing Matters
Forgiveness Matters
Openness Matters
Communication Matters
Presence Matters
Hope Matters

PART 6: How to become a better human being

Character Matters
Choices Matter
Discipline Matters
Consumption Matters
Movement Matters
Attitude Matters
Humility Matters
Manners Matter
Giving Matters
Freedom Matters
Faithfulness Matters

CONCLUSION

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Now….go spread the word! Thanks.