OK, folks, We’re more than halfway through Lent and I’m going to use today’s post to encourage all of us to pursue a deliberate devotional journey these remaining couple of weeks leading up to Easter.

My motivation is the following review I found on line yesterday evening – while looking for something else! It’s written by Byron Borger for a site called “Hearts and Minds Christian Books.” I like his writing style and his assessment of my book.

Reaching Toward Easter: Devotions for Lent  Derek Maul (Upper Room) $16.00 I always appreciate Upper Room books; they seem to have a gentle tone, lovely and artful covers, usually muted and soft, inviting readers to slow down and care about the pages in their hands.  This one is, though, a rather upbeat book, inviting us to prepare ourselves to “enter God’s gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4.)  These daily readings are filled with hope, includes his own storytelling (the author is himself a journalist who sometimes writes columns for USA Today.) This moves us towards Easter and towards resurrection victory, slowly, carefully, but with engaging joy.  Although it is ideal for daily use, there is a leaders guide in the back making it a book that groups can use together. – Byron Borger

Personally, I’m getting more out of the study now than I did even during the writing phase. There’s something to be said for leaving a book alone for a few months during production, and then coming back to it fresh like any other reader.

But the best part is the conversations that develop during the Wednesday men’s group and my Sunday morning class. Such insight, such cool, thoughtful people, such genuine pilgrims on the road less travelled by.

STORIES: Then there are the stories I’m getting back from people all across the country; I’m humbled and thrilled when I hear them:

• Knowing that someone in California renewed their commitment to Jesus because they are reading my book…
• Opening a letter from Maine, written by a woman who feels her faith is becoming more transformational simply in response to one story that lifted her…
• Hearing from a man in Florida who tells me this is the FIRST TIME EVER that he’s felt like he was connecting with the Easter story…
• Talking with a minister who had shared a passage from one chapter with a dying man and his family, and knowing God’s love and assurance reached out through the pages….

Sometimes being an author is like that story of the man walking by the ocean, picking up stranded starfish and placing them back into the nourishing water. No, I may never reach every hungry or thirsty soul that needs an inspirational word. But – and here come’s an email from a burned-out pastor in Alabama who writes that he’s now reenergized for service and love – IT MATTERED TO THAT ONE – splash…..

Hey, maybe it will matter to you?