New Release!
Life-Giving Choices ~ 60 Days to What Matters Most
New Hope Publishers
AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 4TH
Someone once told me, “Don’t settle for the good when you can choose the best.” And so began my lifelong quest for that which brings life, joy, and meaning. And the courage to choose it. Of course, I have both stumbled and soared in the process. Discovering that while there are myriad ways we can choose to spend our lives, only a few essentials truly matter.
Life-Giving Choices will help you:
- Be empowered to simplify and focus on the essentials.
- Identify challenges you face in juggling responsibilities.
- Find freedom to release the pressure of striving to do it all.
- Learn scriptural truths reinforcing your identity as God’s beloved.
- Begin daily steps to pursue specific action.
Will you invest the next sixty days in pursuing changes that will last?
Join me in becoming that wise woman who embraces a full life with both serenity and strength.
Order Your Copy Today
Lucinda Secrest McDowell
Interview with Lucinda Secrest McDowell on Life-Giving Choices
How long have you been writing?
I’m a word girl. I love the delicate dance of weaving words together in creative ways. My very first job after university was as an editor for a small magazine, Carolina Country, so I’ve been writing for publication all my adult life. While raising four children I mostly wrote for magazines and did radio broadcasting. I have now written fifteen traditionally published books and continued to speak at conferences all over the country.
What prompted you to write Life-Giving Choices?
Our choices change our lives. I’ve made some good ones and I’ve made some I regret. But the consequences of my poor decisions taught me valuable lessons. From now on, I want each choice to be for what matters most. That’s why I decided to use my storytelling to flesh out sixty of the best choices anyone can make. One choice a day. And all are gleaned from God’s Word, so we know they are wise and good.
What kind of book is this?
I like to write short and deep. I know folks only have so much time each day to read, pray and breathe in deeply the goodness of God. My devotional journal guides readers into choosing one thing a day that restores and builds up, rather than defaulting to something quick that drains or destroys. Each entry includes a story with substance and an exploration of how that particular choice could change our lives for the better. Then there are a few lines to jot down your own reflection and ideas for action.
Can you give an example of some of the choices offered?
For instance, when I feel alone in my secret struggles, I can choose connection instead of isolation. When headlines are frightening, I can choose courage instead of fear. When people break my heart, I can choose forgiveness and healing instead of despair. And when the world is a cacophony of chaos, I can choose silence, calm, and serenity.
Why would this book make a good gift for friends, family and colleagues?
In Life-Giving Choices, I love to show how God’s truth intersects with real life today. Anyone looking for more hope, authenticity, compassion, rest, strength, love and significance would enjoy these daily meditations. And because the days are not dated, readers can skip around. People love to make their own choice – even for which choice to read about on a certain day!
What is one of the hardest choices you ever made?
One choice that encompasses many different situations and seasons in my own life is the choice to keep going. To exhibit endless patience and repetition while raising a special-needs child. To get out of bed and walk into a new day when struggling with depression. To keep marriage vows when circumstances tempt you to bail. To obey God’s call on my life even when doors are closing or there is little external validation. To embrace the lessons learned in failure and have the courage to try again. To take care of body and soul when I’m totally overwhelmed… Sadly, our world has become a throw-away society that too often gives up. But there are always more choices out there if we keep going.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently speaking widely on the importance of making wise choices in every area of life. In February 2020 my next book releases – Soul Strong – 7 Keys to a Vibrant Life. This is an interactive teaching guide helping younger women become soul strong – learning to live authentically and love extravagantly. I have developed an event called “SOUL STRONG – Choose What Matters Most” and will be sharing various elements of those messages throughout next year.
Advance Praise for Life-Giving Choices ~ 60 Days to What Matters Most
Lucinda McDowell’s beautifully written devotionals draw me deeper into the Word of God, and closer to His heart. -
Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Lucinda Secrest McDowell’s books never disappoint—and this one is not-to-be-missed! Every day we face important choices that alter our attitude, our outlook, our approach to people, and our spiritual productivity. Life-Giving Choices will greatly impact the way you live your life. She masterfully weaves powerful quotations with heart-gripping stories and applicable scripture. Each day’s topic concludes with a prayer and a question that will prompt you to take action. This timeless devotional is my "go-to" gift for friends and family members. -
Carol Kent, Speaker and Author, He Holds My Hand
As the champion of Encouraging Words, Lucinda Secrest McDowell’s Life-Giving Choices devotional is a daily arrow pointing readers toward a more joyful, hopeful and faithful life! Lucinda’s easy writing style, tremendous godly wisdom and sense of humor made this 60-day devotional an opportunity that I looked forward to choosing to experience each day.
Barb Roose, Speaker and Author, Winning the Worry Battl
“In her new devotional, Life Giving Choices, Lucinda Secrest McDowell says we are able to choose what really matters, she insists, because God provides endless resources to help us. We can choose authenticity, healing, obedience, serenity, and celebration -- 60 choices that will lead to a more whole and holy life. Weaving humor, memorable quotes, stories, and powerful scriptures, Lucinda Secrest McDowell encourages us to make life-giving, and life-transforming choices on a daily basis.
Tessa Afshar, Award-winning Author, Land of Silence and Pearl in the Sand
As I’m a marginally lazy reader with some processing challenges, my brain is easily distracted. But in Life-Giving Choices, Lucinda Secrest McDowell captured both my mind and my heart on every page. A consummate storyteller, and woman of wisdom, she hands readers like me the practical tools we need to live well. This is the book you want to have on hand to give as a good gift to the people you love.
Margot Starbuck, Author, Not Who I Imagined: Surprised by a Loving Go
Though I’ve avoided facing certain areas of my life, through Life-Giving Choices, I’ve been reminded that He wants to walk through those paths with me. I have been blessed, and given hope that I can make a difference for His Kingdom. Thank you, Cindy, for writing a book most of us women truly need!
Valerie Elliot Shepard, Author, Devotedly – The Personal Letters and Love Story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot
Life is filled with opportunities to choose that ultimately determine the quality of life we enjoy. In Life-Giving Choices, Lucinda Secrest McDowell shares powerful personal stories and engaging reflection questions to help us untangle the choices. Each devotional is a beautiful invitation to choose God’s best in every situation.
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD, Author, Sacred Rest
Our decisions determine our destinies. As you are faced with different decisions each day, Life-Giving Choices will help you choose well. Lucinda writes with beauty, truth, humor and wisdom. I was greatly encouraged by this book and I think you will be too!
Arlene Pellicane, Speaker and Author of Parents Rising
In her latest book, Life-Giving Choices, author Lucinda Secrest McDowell, gives us a precious gift. Her insight, gleaned from the foundation of God’s word, reminds us that a life well-lived is a series of conscious choices. Written in her engaging style and sprinkled with personal stories and anecdotes this volume encourages to reach for God’s best with every decision we make. This book will have a permanent home on my favorites shelf, and I’ll keep extras to share with others.
Edie Melson, Award-winning Author & Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference
As a woman in my senior years, I want to be even more intentional about using well the years that remain, which includes mentoring others behind me on the journey. I am ever so thankful for Lucinda Secrest McDowell’s beautiful enriching guide that empowers readers of all ages to decide each day how to handle what comes our way.
Maggie Wallem Rowe, Speaker and Author of This Life We Share
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