Dear Friends,

This is a gentle reminder about my recently released book. If you are looking for a 365 day devotional for Mother's Day, graduations, or newly weds please keep The Heartbeat of God in mind.

Locally, the books can be purchased at Hot Pink in Brentwood (231 Franklin Rd.). You can also order them from Amazon,amazon.com and from Clear Day Media Group,cleardaymediagroup.com. I have had many encouraging comments from readers thus far, and I continue to pray it will be a blessing to all those who read it.

With sincere thanks,
Chris

Dear Readers who are local to the Nashville/Brentwood/Franklin area,

I just want to let you know that my new 365 day devotional, The Heartbeat of God, is now being sold at:

 HOT PINK  

Hg Hill Shopping Center

231 Franklin Rd. Brentwood 37027

These books will make great Christmas gifts for family and friends. For those who are not local, the books can still be ordered from www.cleardaymediagroup.com.Thank you, friends, for your interest and encouragement concerning my website and now, this book.

May His Name be lifted high,
Chris

This morning I woke up struggling with deep emotions. Sometimes the circumstances of life can push me into a dark pit of despair. I hurt for people who are hurting. My heart aches for those who are suffering physically, those who are grieving emotionally, and those who are battling spiritually. Is there any hope at all in the midst of intense pain, heart breaking sadness, and heart aching struggle?

As I poured my wrestling thoughts out to the Lord in confusion and grief, He then poured into me, in perspective and love. He reminded me where to fix my gaze:Set your mind on the things above not on the things that are on earth. (Col. 3:2)So often, when I focus on the darkness only, I forget about the Light. In the midst of situations that I cannot understand, I must recall to my mind, the Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." (Lam. 3:22-24)

So yes, there is hope; it's in Him and Him alone. Nothing on this earth makes sense without the Hope of Glory shining His redeeming light into it. So shine on, sweet Savior. Shine your light into our pain, into our sorrow, into our struggle. We need You.

As you can imagine, my session with my Wise Counselor was pretty intense this morning; but I now have His peace to push through. Just to make His point clear to me, I was blessed with a complimentary, God-designed picture to remind me where to fix my eyes in the midst of dark times. I looked out of my window to see this magnicent sunrise.

From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. Ps 113:3

Arise, shine; for your light has come. And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you, and His glory will appear upon you. Is. 60:1-2

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace. (Num. 6:24-26)

Yes, in the midst of darkness, I will steadfastly gaze on the Hope of Glory, Jesus Christ.

Friends,
I want to introduce my new book, The Heartbeat of God.It is a 365 day devotional designed to deepen your walk with Lord, day by day, one step at a time.

    The set release date is on (or near) December 10th.

 You can purchase them now at a pre-sale price of $12. 99

at www.cleardaymediagroup.com

or www.respitefortheweary.com  (see sidebar)

The book and e-book will also be made available on Amazon in the coming days. 

As you begin making your Christmas gift list for friends, relatives, teachers, and co-workers,

please keep The Heartbeat of God in mind.

Thank you.

I walk a lot of golf courses. My son Davis plays for the University of Cincinnati so my husband Mac and I try to attend the tournaments that are reasonably close to home. On the golf paths, in the midst of beautiful scenery, I have learned to pray, and pray, and pray. Most of the time it’s not even about the golf that I’m watching; I just like to take advantage of this allotted time to pray for family, friends, and life issues–really, whatever the Lord brings to mind.

BUT, before I sound too holy, I must confess, I do have a competitive streak in me that rises and falls as I tenaciously watch the direction of Davis’ little white golf ball. It’s crazy how fervently I can sometimes find myself pleading with the Lord for a par, or better yet, a birdie. One time when I was in this desperate state, staring at the ball as if I could personally “will” it into hole, my eyes changed focus to a large tree that stood in the background just behind Davis. I then heard in my heart these Spirit-led words, “Chris, remember, I’m always about the big picture.”

Ah, yes, in each of our lives, let us remember, God is always about the big picture. Just like a tree begins as a seed, then in due time, it becomes a sapling, and over years of growth, it becomes a sturdy and mature work of art, so we too, are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). He always has Your best interest at heart, even when things temporarily seem right or left of center.

If you’re in the midst of a harder season right now, let His word encourage you:

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

I admit, it’s hard to let go of my immediate desire for things to go exactly the way I want it to go, at the exact minute I want it to happen (the ball in the hole!). But I must remember and trust, that

The little fickle ball vs. the large sturdy tree

in the long run, the Lord’s “big picture” will be a far better work of art, more than anything I could have momentarily willed myself.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

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I'm not sure why, but early this morning as I was sipping my coffee quietly, an out-of-the-blue question came to my mind: "What's the benefit of being a Christian?" Within 10 seconds, I came up with 5 reasons why I have chosen, by grace, to walk this daily path.

Read and rest in these truths with me:

Benefit 1: I have a place to "put my junk." So much of the time, the things I think, say, or do are just plain wrong, and I know it. The cross of Christ is the place I can pour out my mess, and then walk away clean. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1John 1:9

Benefit 2: I have a Wise Counselor. And, boy, do I need Him! The wonderful thing about Jesus is: He's always available, He's always right, and He's always free. Truly, His Word is flawless. With Him are wisdom and might; to Him belong counsel and understanding. Job 12:13

Benefit 3: I have a bigger purpose than myself. God wants more for me than this culture's unending, life-draining rat race. Instead, He desires to fill me with His incomprehensible love, and then in turn, He asks me to pour it out all over others. THIS is the true, adventurous, fulfilling life! Get yourself up on a high mountain... bearer of good news. Lift your voice mightily… bearer of good news; lift it up, do not fear. Say to (the people), "Here is your God!" Isaiah 40:9

Benefit 4: I have hope. When, not if, but when, life doesn't make sense, I can trust that God knows what He is doing. If I allow Him to work, then my trials can become the fertile soil of His blossoming glory so those around me will marvel and wonder why I have inexplicable strength, peace, and even joy. Now may the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Benefit 5: I am going to live forever. This life is a passing vapor compared to what is ahead for those who call Jesus Savior and Lord. For those who doubt eternal life, let me ask you this: If even man desires to end most of our entertainment with a "happily ever after" closure, why would God, creator of man, end life with disease, death, and decay? No, He is a much more redemptive Author than that! Blessed be God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. I Peter 1:3-4

Believer or non-believer, ponder these God-breathed blessings and then consider agreeing with each one with a praising shout, "Amen!" Yes, today and tomorrow and forever, let us all rejoice in His rich benefits.