encouragement

A lesson from the sea: The view from Glass Beach

Steve · August 27, 2010 · 4 Comments

“You make everything glorious. And I am yours. What does that make me?”

– David Crowder

Here’s what I learned today standing on a beach in Fort Bragg, California: Even if time can’t heal all wounds, it at least can make even the seeming dregs of our lives beautiful. Just add water and an overwhelming force.

While it may seem unbelievable in today’s more environmentally conscious society, for many of the decades of the 20^th century, the people of Fort Bragg threw their household garbage over the cliffs and into the sea. They threw their garbage and their old cars and appliances. And they threw their discarded glass bottles. Lots of them.

My new book released: Embraced by God: Facing Chemotherapy with Faith

Steve · March 10, 2010 · 4 Comments

yhst-15803510100271_2097_36424567 — The cover of my new book!

Just a quick post to say that my collection of essays about facing disease and treatment with faith is about to hit the virtual and physical bookstore shelves.

The publisher’s catalog reads:

Here, after three years of chemotherapy, Steve Givens describes his experiences of pain, sickness, confusion, and sadness, but also his profound sense of renewal and spiritual re-birth. He reveals that he has chosen the way of faith and God because he knows of no other way that brings peace and a reason to go on. This is a beautifully told story of struggle and pain, but ultimately of peace and acceptance, a wonderful resource for all who are facing chronic illness and its treatment.

For more information on the book, see the Faith & Chemo section of my blog or click on the chemotherapy category to read excerpts from the book.

More to come. Peace & healing…

Steve

Second Week of Lent: Seeking Forgiveness and Saying What Needs to be Said

Steve · March 6, 2010 · 1 Comment

half — Mitch Albom's "Have a Little Faith"

I have just finished reading Mitch Albom’s (Tuesdays with Morrie) new book, a beautiful story of two men of God called “Have a Little Faith.” The two men are Albom’s own rabbi, who has asked the author to give the eulogy at his funeral, and an ex-convict-turned-Christian minister who works with the poorest of the poor in Albom’s adopted home of Detroit. It’s a great little book of faith, relationship and commitment, and a portion of the proceeds of the book benefits Albom’s own “Hole in the Roof Foundation,” which helps refurbish places of worship that aid the homeless. Good read, read cause.

As I eased further into Lent this past week, I was particularly taken by a story from the rabbi (The Reb) on the importance of seeking forgiveness and never waiting too long to say what needs to be said. The Reb tells Albom the story of a man standing by his wife’s newly dug grave, tears streaming down his face:

Responding to the Call: Olympic Lessons (still) from Eric Liddell

Steve · February 13, 2010 · 1 Comment

I’ve been thinking a lot the last few days about the idea of vocation and calling. I think maybe it’s the Olympics and all those great stories that come out of it. Sometimes I think I like the personal stories of the athletes more than I do the actual competition. Sometimes. I love competition, too. Head-to head competition is some of the greatest real-life stories we ever get to experience, even if it’s from the sidelines or from the comfort (and warmth) of our easy chairs. And here’s why: We are all called to something. We are all called to the equivalent of Olympic excellence and a life of purpose and meaning. Our job is to hear that call and find a way to respond.

In one way or another, these gifted, committed athletes are responding to a call that they have heard for a long, long time. No one becomes an Olympic athlete overnight, and none do it because they have nothing better to do. They do it because they can’t imagine doing anything else. They do it because they know they must respond to a call they sense, even if they cannot always identify where it comes from.

If you don’t like the culture, make your own…

Steve · January 30, 2010 · 2 Comments

Me, emceeing a house concert, photo by Fred Volkmann

I awoke this morning with this thought swimming through my head. It’s not my original thought and I don’t know who said it first, but it’s an appropriate one for this weekend. Here’s why.

Tomorrow night is the Grammy Awards — that annual celebration that has become unequal parts glitter, popular taste and, and to some extent anyway, excellence in the musical arts. I grew up watching the show, dreaming someday that I might own my own little golden gramophone. Hasn’t happened yet.