“One in Christ” is very close to its official release. It should be available in a couple of weeks. The book has gone to print, and I’ve officially approved the eBook version, which should also be available in two to four weeks.
But, why have I included the personal stories and key life experiences in it, particularly a couple of my biggest failings and weaknesses?
While I was writing “One in Christ,” a second cousin of mine suggested writing an autobiography, that others would find the way I’ve dealt with some of the difficulties in my life to be of interest. I thought she had a good idea. I even went so far as to do an outline for that book, and talked with a couple of my relatives about that project, what to include and not to include, and how to deal with some of the tougher issues.
But in the end, that wasn’t the best direction for me to take. What is most important is how Jesus Christ got me through those times and how He also worked, and continues to work, in my life to turn my legal blindness into something useful for the kingdom. If I did a full “tell-all” autobiography, the focus would, by definition, end up being on me. Ultimately, that would not have proved helpful. Jesus Christ, the Gospel message and what He has done in my life needs to be at the center of what I write, not me.
As I continued working on “One in Christ,” my main editor suggested that I include as many personal stories and examples as I could within the manuscript. That made sense. “One in Christ” is very different from “Will God Save Everyone?” It is devotional, conversational, and with those stories, hopefully inspirational. By including those stories here, rather than in an autobiography, it is much clearer that the focus remains on Jesus Christ. Those stories make the book more personal, very authentic (to use a favored postmodern word), and hopefully will provide encouragement for others to press on in Christ, to seek to mature, even in spite of past personal failures and setbacks.
If I have one wish, it is that all of us, as Christians, would seek to know Christ better, to put the past behind, and press on in the faith.
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Be It Resolved? Part 8
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Be It Resolved? Part 6
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The Miracle of Christmas, part 3
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You Matter!
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