Over the past few
weeks I’ve shared some of the content from Intentional
Fitness: Working Out Your Salvation so Others Can See Jesus. Today I’d like
to introduce my fabulous cover girl Lucy, created by my fabulous niece Katlan.
Heeeeeeere’s
Lucy!
She
has a little bit of attitude, likes to have fun, and has lots of class and
style. Most of all, she loves Jesus.
This
is her trademark “Hi, pleased to meet you” pose. As I write books, she’ll be
sporting a variety of different looks to help illustrate what the book is
about.
And
speaking of illustration, her creator, Katlan Graziano, has always enjoyed
drawing, and the challenge of creating and illustrating characters. Lucy is not her first published
character. Among others she has created
is a messy pig named Greg who taught children about manners. Katlan recently graduated from JMU, and is
looking forward to future illustration opportunities.
When
we first started talking about cover ideas for this and future books, it was
Katlan’s idea to create a central character who could be on all the books. Here's Lucy on her debut cover, and a short excerpt from the back of the
cover.
“Therefore,
my dear friends . . . continue to work out your salvation with fear and
trembling . . .” Philippians 2:12 (NIV). We know how to work out our problems,
work the kinks out of our backs, and work out at the gym, but we’re not exactly
sure how to work out our salvation. Is this
working out of salvation anything like other work-outs with which we are
familiar? Will this work-out take discipline, denial, and diet? Will this
work-out require intentional effort, possibly even a daily commitment?
The
answers are yes, yes, and yes.
I’m so excited and humbled
to see how God is bringing everything together for the re-release of my first
book. Katlan and I are in the final review stages now, so the book should be ready
for release by the first week of September.
I don’t know what He
has planned for this book or for any others, I just know I need to write them
and put them in His hands. I am so blessed when my fingers are on the keyboard
and words are pouring out! Our God is amazing in how He creates us, and then
gives us gifts and talents that bring Him glory and fill us with such joy.
Happy Fitness Friday! Give someone you love a BIG hug today, and be
thankful God brought them into your life!
COMING NEXT
WEEK: The original idea behind the book,
and the top 10 suggested uses for the book.
TODAY’S
CHALLENGE: What gift or talent has the
Lord given you that brings Him glory and blesses your socks off? Are you spending your talent, or hiding it under a bushel?
God longs to see you shine brightly with His joy in a world that so desperately needs
Him!