Your Look of Love

A few days before our twenty-sixth wedding anniversary Sharon and I were asked to pose for a publicity photo to be used for promotional purposes by the facility where we live. We were told to act as though we were enjoying a romantic dinner.

When the photographer told us he was ready, we smiled and gazed into each others eyes. In the midst of the shoot the lady coordinating it exclaimed to my wife, "Wow, You have a look of Love my husband would die for!" Of course, since that comment every once and awhile I will smile at Sharon and ask her to give me one of her "Looks of Love."

Even though I had already written a poem for our anniversary those words kept resounding in my head until the following poem burst forth. Yes, our Lord continues to make our remarriage beautiful in His time. How blessed I am with Sharon, my very special Valentine. I hope this poem will also be a blessing to you. Hugs, Don C.

YOUR LOOK OF LOVE

Your look of LOVE through fair blue eyes.
Tell all it's me you idolize.
Displayed in other ways 'tis true,
Your Love you show in all you do.

Your look of LOVE flows through my soul,
It makes its very essence whole.
It looks within my loving heart,
Its treasures there it doth impart.

What are these treasures that unfold,
They are finer than purest gold.
Bright HOPE I see within your eyes,
To earth you've brought me paradise.

A Princess true with servant's hands,
You see my needs, meet their demands.
I need not ask for anything,
You always treat me like a king.

So now your LOVE I will extol,
In brokenness you made me whole
The life I live bathed in your LOVE,
Like flowing fountains from above.

Ears that listen to what I say,
Words of wisdom you send my way,
Your lips so soft with honey flow,
Clearly reflect your inner glow

Embodied in that special look,
Are stories that could fill a book.
Of faith, of life - vitality.
I Love your creativity.

Your look of LOVE enraptures me,
And it will glow eternally.
Implanted by our loving Lord,
Always by me you'll be adored.

I LOVE your LOOK of LOVE!!

HAPPY TWENTY-SIXTH ANNIVERSARY!

HUGS, IN CHRIST'S AND MY LOVE,

DON February 14, 2007

My Blog and Its content.

As I begin my blog I want to outline what you may expect to find when you visit with me. Basically, I am hoping it will be a place you can relax and find comfort and peace.

I plan to develop articles, poetry, guidelines for applying points I make in my book, "Divorce & Remarriage Made Beautiful In His Time," essays and other materials that will encourage you along life's way.

I am considering several areas to include on my blog that I believe are relevant to our daily walk with our Lord and with those around us. Some of these will help lighten your load and others will challenge you to consider some heavier issues of life.

For instance I am working on a couple of "life end" planning forms that tie in with the final chapter of my book. These you will be able to download for your personal planning use. The area of life end planning is often neglected, but is one of the most relevant issues that faces all of us.

On the lighter side I will be including some of my poetry. The first of these will be a poem I wrote in honor of Sharon for our twenty-sixth anniversary celebrated on Valentine's Day. I think you will enjoy the background that triggered my writing it. You can look for it in my next blog.

I hope that my blog will be a place where you can come to share your burdens and we can chat about them. Hopefully, we can learn through our sharing how great the LOVE of our Lord is toward us. He will not leave us comfortless.

How often in the darkest hours I have found this to be true. Through my experience in a dysfunctional marriage, a devastating divorce and a dream fulfilled remarriage I wholeheartedly believe, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

With the eternity He has placed in our hearts, while we do not fully know what He is doing from beginning to end in our lives, we know it is for our eternal good!

Please visit my site as often as you can so that we can share our thoughts and interact on areas that concern us. Even better, sign up on the "Really Simple Syndication" (or RSS) feed and you will receive my blog each time I publish to it. If you have a google or yahoo homepage, it is very easy to add my feed to it by clicking the appropriate button below in the side bar (under Feeds).

Hugs, In Christ's Love,

Don C.

About the Book

An Inspiring Book About Divorce & Remarriage Written From an Evangelical Christian Perspective.

This unique book, based on personal and professional experience can help you or someone you know.

While there are many books written about divorce and remarriage, this book is unique in that it presents five strong points for both men and women to reflect upon.

1. It is written from an Evangelical Christian perspective, combining personal insight into the experience of divorce and a retrospective look at a dysfunctional marriage.


2. There are Scriptural references to help support a believer through the healing process.


3. Its poetry portrays the heart condition throughout divorce, courtship, remarriage and life end planning.


4. It provides practical pointers on remarriage and long term planning.


5. Questions at the end of each chapter help you reflect on your life situation and how truths presented can be applied to your life.
   

Much of the material in this book can be readily identified with by men and women.

Poetry interspersed throughout the book reaches into the souls of the author and his wife. It moves from the depths of despair to enlightenment, healing and hope.

In the latter half of the book a love story unfolds that will enrich your heart and increase your hope.


Why Did I Write This Book?

Three vital needs presented themselves to me:

1. Shortly after my divorce and remarriage I began writing my experience of divorce and remarriage from an Evangelical perspective.

With a change in jobs and relocation, the beginning manuscript was set aside. Almost twenty years later, during a discussion about divorce with a niece, she encouraged me to finish it. It was difficult to relive some of the events in the early chapters.

The realization that many Christians were experiencing what I was finding difficult to write about twenty years later became a further stimulus to complete this book. I was motivated to present a message of healing and hope.

During the final writing of this book another motivating factor entered upon the scene.

A recent study completed for AARP indicated that increasing numbers of middle aged individuals were facing the reality of divorce. One section of the report referenced a large group of Evangelical Christians involved in divorce actions.

It pointed out that many seek support through their friends at church, demonstrating a need for a book such as mine which deals with divorce and remarriage on a Christian and scriptural basis.

2. When Sharon and I lead a divorced singles' group in our home I shared with them much of the scripture and insights I had gained during my divorce experience. I wished I had a book to put into their hands that would answer many of their questions and help them through the healing process.

Through the insights nestled in my book, I am convinced that Christians in the midst of divorce can find peace, healing, happiness, and hope.

3. The final chapter of my book is essential for everyone, married or single, young or old, rich or poor. It discusses Sharon's and my long term planning.

It comes out of my experience of working with families who failed to plan for their future and the great struggle they faced when their health broke or a loved one died.

It is important that everyone plan for their end days. This chapter will help guide you as you do planning for the future.

About Divorce and Remarriage

This unique book, based on personal and professional experience can help you or someone you know.

While there are many books written about divorce and remarriage, this book is unique in that it presents five strong points for both men and women to reflect upon.

1. It is written from an Evangelical Christian perspective, combining personal insight into the experience of divorce and a retrospective look at a dysfunctional marriage.
   
   
2. There are Scriptural references to help support a believer through the healing process.
   


3. Its poetry portrays the heart condition throughout divorce, courtship, remarriage and life end planning.
   


4. It provides practical pointers on remarriage and long term planning.
   


5. Questions at the end of each chapter help you reflect on your life situation and how truths presented can be applied to your life.

Much of the material in this book can be readily identified with by men and women.

Poetry interspersed throughout the book reaches into the souls of the author and his wife. It moves from the depths of despair to enlightenment, healing and hope.

In the latter half of the book a love story unfolds that will enrich your heart and increase your hope.

Why Did I Write This Book?

Three vital needs presented themselves to me:

1. Shortly after my divorce and remarriage I began writing my experience of divorce and remarriage from an Evangelical perspective.
   
   With a change in jobs and relocation, the beginning manuscript was set aside. Almost twenty years later, during a discussion about divorce with a niece, she encouraged me to finish it. It was difficult to relive some of the events in the early chapters.
   
   The realization that many Christians were experiencing what I was finding difficult to write about twenty years later became a further stimulus to complete this book. I was motivated to present a message of healing and hope.
   
   During the final writing of this book another motivating factor entered upon the scene.
   
   A recent study completed for AARP indicated that increasing numbers of middle aged individuals were facing the reality of divorce. One section of the report referenced a large group of Evangelical Christians involved in divorce actions.
   
   It pointed out that many seek support through their friends at church, demonstrating a need for a book such as mine which deals with divorce and remarriage on a Christian and scriptural basis.
   

2. When Sharon and I lead a divorced singles' group in our home I shared with them much of the scripture and insights I had gained during my divorce experience. I wished I had a book to put into their hands that would answer many of their questions and help them through the healing process.
   
   Through the insights nestled in my book, I am convinced that Christians in the midst of divorce can find peace, healing, happiness, and hope.
   
   
   
3. The final chapter of my book is essential for everyone, married or single, young or old, rich or poor. It discusses Sharon's and my long term planning.
   
   It comes out of my experience of working with families who failed to plan for their future and the great struggle they faced when their health broke or a loved one died.
   
   It is important that everyone plan for their end days. This chapter will help guide you as you do planning for the future.

If you'd like to order a signed copy of my book, please contact me.

About the Author

I am a Christian author who believed very strongly that divorce was not an option for a believer. Based on that belief, I remained in a dysfunctional marriage for thirty years.

It came to the point that there was a total lack of communication between my former wife and me. Our divorce was a painful experience for both of us.

As a Christian I focused on Scripture and professional Christian counseling to find support and healing. I found the Grace of God sufficient to bring help, healing and hope.

In addition I read many books on divorce, but found few that spoke to the scriptural issues. Some of those that did are referenced in my book.

However, none that I read spoke of the support our Lord provides to divorcing individuals through little-known scriptures. Other well known verses take on deeper meaning within the context of divorce.

These core versus provide the foundation for my book and my own personal healing. I believe they can do the same for broken-hearted readers.

My professional background also adds credibility to my writing. I received a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Theology degrees from Barrington College.

I was a licensed pastor for eight years and a social worker for thirty years.

I established a divorced singles' group which Sharon and I hosted in our home for about three years. We counseled many in our group.

Due to health issues I am only able to accept speaking engagements in my local area (Prescott, Arizona). With the debut of this book and through my web site, I hope to extend my outreach around the nation and throughout the world.

I have experienced the richness of God's grace in my life and want to encourage you to reach out to Him. His grace is sufficient for you!

Hugs in Christ!

How to Contact Me

I'd love to hear from you and offer any help and support I can. If you're in a group, I'd be happy to interact with all of you.

I've started a blog for this purpose. It's my hope that you'll find encouragement and support through the blog. I look forward to interacting with you through it.

If you have specific questions (about divorce, remarriage, my book, or other concerns), you can contact me at the email address: Don.E.Cunningham@Gmail.com

I promise you that your information will remain confidential and I will never sell, rent, trade, or share your email address with others.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Some ISP's block emails from people not in your address book. Be sure to add my email address to your address book so that your ISP will not reject my email responses to you.

Hugs in Christ,

Coming Soon!

I will soon be posting information about my book, "Divorce and Remarriage Made Beautiful in His Time!" on this blog. I will also be posting other information, resources and messages of encouragement and hope.

I look forward to interacting with you through this blog.

Hugs in Christ,
Don