Easter Devotional

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that 
the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. John 20:1

I know, some of you may be asking yourselves, “Easter already? Why in the world is he talking about it so soon?” But the reality is that Ash Wednesday is just two weeks away (February 22nd)! Though each of us may observe the season of Lent a little differently, most of us find that it is a great opportunity to refocus our heart on the basics of our relationship with Christ and remember again His last days as we look to the Cross, the Tomb and Resurrection morning. These daily readings are simple with each one connecting to a single verse and small story. Together they lead step-by-step to the miracle of Easter morning, and my prayer is that you will be touched and changed, and that the good news of the resurrection of Jesus will bring the hope of Christ to your heart. Since it sometimes helps to write down in our own words what God has done in our lives, at the end of this book is included a short journaling section. This gives a space where you can put down in your own handwriting, how God has worked the miracle of faith and the love for Jesus in your life. Your story can be both a reminder for yourself as well as a legacy you can share with those closest to you. For me, Easter is special because that is the day in 1972, when I gave my heart to Jesus Christ. I call it, “My Easter Miracle.” But my experience was only possible because Jesus suffered for me, He willingly gave His own life so that a selfish young man could be forgiven and saved. I had spent my time pursuing pleasures and running away from responsibilities, and yet Jesus came. He saw me and loved me so much that He died and then broke through the power of death to walk out of the grave on Easter morning. How grateful and amazed I am each time I remember His story again!

This year’s devotional book is broken into six sections, each of approximately one week. The link provided below is for the large print edition (eBook is also available). The regular print will be available in a couple of days. Here in our local community, we use this large print edition as a part of our nursing home outreach each Easter. The residents love seeing that it is specially for them in a print size that is easy to read. So, whether you choose to purchase a copy for yourself or not, please pray that our outreach will be effective in touching the lives of the residents who come to our services. They are looking for hope, and encouragement at one of the loneliest times of their lives. God bless you and let me know if you have any questions about either the book or our nursing home ministry.

Some Winter Joy

I am so thankful for the warmer weather breaking here out in Florida. I know from phone calls to my sister that you who are my Northern brothers and sisters are still digging out of the last system. God bless you I do remember! With all that cold it is hard to imagine that Ash Wednesday is only a month away! Today I am posting the link for my 2022 large print Lenten Reader. Each year we face different circumstances but the hope we have in Christ’s death burial and resurrection remains the same. Whatever we are going through God teaches us to wait on Him for the answer.

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 KJV

So, you might ask, “What exactly is Lent?” That is one great question with more than one answer! In general, Lent is the time from Ash Wednesday until either the Wednesday before Easter, Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday depending on which tradition you follow. You also might wonder why we should observe this 40-day period since there is no record of anyone in the Bible doing so. For starters, it is never a bad idea to set aside special times for seeking God’s will and purpose. Some call it, “Waiting on the Lord.” Waiting in the right way, comes with God’s promise of strength and renewal. Some of you may choose to fast certain foods or to do special acts of service, during these weeks. However, you choose to honor the season, the most important thing of all is to focus on Jesus.

Here is the link for the 2022 large print Easter Devotional. The eBook is also available now but if you are wanting a standard print version you will have to wait till the end of the week. God bless!


Christmas Already?

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10 ESV

Okay I know it is at least a month early, but I am posting this now in order to offer a resource that you might consider for friends or family who need a large print devotional. Though the big-tech companies seem bent on converting us all to on-line reading, there is much to be said for actual books we can hold in our hands and make our own by scribbling in the margins. Each Christmas and Easter for the last several years I have put together a devotional in a large print version for the people I visit in various kinds of long term care. Even some of my friends in our small prayer group seem to prefer this for themselves when we purchase a number to be given away at the four communities which I visit. This year the collection is a 30 day reader titled, “Finding Jesus This Christmas” – because with all the confusion filling our world, we wonder, “Where is Jesus in the middle of this mess?We may wonder where the wise men came from or why shepherds seemed to be the only people who could hear the angel choir. Though Christmas is filled with questions, we still sense a mysterious truth who is wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This Christmas is a day to pause and remember that no matter our situation or how crazy our world has become – God still remembers us!

You can follow the link below for the large print version or search by title and author of Amazon for the e-book and standard size print versions.