For Apalachin author, devotionals are a ministry. What her newest book will explore

“I wasn’t sure I would write another book. My books are a ministry for me,” said Christine Fisher.

Fisher is now putting the finishing touches on a fourth book since 2020. It is expected out next month.

The first three were also daily devotionals. They carry “Illuminated” in their titles, while this one is a bit different. It’s “God’s Glory Manifested.”

“I see God’s glory as the ’external manifestation of His being,” she said.

“The theme of seeing God's glory in this world, in all of creation that God made, in each human being that bears God's glory, and in Jesus was evident to me so I wanted to have others marvel at it too.”

Like her previous books, this one has 90 short reflections intended to be used as a devotional. Fisher said it includes questions to “help the reader think about how it relates to their lives.” She said the word “glory” is included at the end of each chapter along with a scripture verse.

“I found during this Lent and especially the days leading up to the Easter celebration so many of the Scriptures relating to the word "glory" that I think it's fitting ‘God's Glory Manifested’ will be published soon,” Fisher said. “Thinking of Jesus on the cross suffering, I believe we see God's glory in Jesus' face.”

Fisher didn’t share much about the specific chapters of the soon-to-be-released book. But she noted that her everyday life continues to be filled with faith experiences.

Fisher recalled how she was asked to take part in the Washing of the Feet during a Holy Thursday Mass. Instead of putting one foot in the bowl, she put both feet in to be washed.

She wrote of the experience in her blog.

“It was a sacred encounter when, while washing my feet, the person looked into my eyes and smiled. I saw Jesus’ love for me in his eyes. The person then cupped his hands around my feet as he wrapped the towel around them and kissed one foot. I experienced Jesus’ love embracing me through the holding of my feet,” Fisher said.

She also highlighted another time, also from a blog post, when she had been taking part in a church event with video, discussion and prayer. She spoke with a man after and gave him one of her books. Fisher said they continued to talk outside the church.

“I showed him the prayer garden, where I spent many days reflecting on God,” she wrote. “He felt inspired to pray for us both, which was special.”

Fisher draws some inspiration also from a visit to the Holy Land a couple of years ago.

“We were the first tour group after Covid so we were graced with no lines at the sites and we were able to stay at places longer,“ Fisher said.

More: Family, volunteer effort behind Johnson City church's monthly 'faithful feast'

“I couldn't help but see God's compassion in sending Jesus to earth in the Holy Land. After I returned home, I was inspired to take my website readers along on the pilgrimage sharing the Scriptures and stories of the different sites we visited,” she added.

A self-described introvert, Fisher has taken on some speaking engagements recently to share her writings.

“I found that I have peace and joy sharing verbally something I never, ever expected,” she said.

Fisher also continues to take solitary walks. She finds items shaped like hearts and looks for rainbows too. And she listens.

“The little things like the hearts and the rainbows are kind of the way it seems God speaks to me. I marvel at His goodness. I feel those things lead me to the themes of books and then make me live out themes of the books with my life.”

More about Christine Fisher

Author: "God’s Glory Manifested: Thoughts to Inspire the Experience of God’s Presence, A 90-Day Devotional" (expected to be released in May).

Church: St. Ambrose, Endicott.

Hometown: Johnson City.

Residence: Apalachin.

Education: Johnson City High School, Johnson City, NY; Broome Community College, Binghamton, NY (Data Processing-Business & Accounting)

Family: Husband; three adult children.

Hobbies: Writing, spending time in nature, reading.

Website:hopetoinspireyou.com

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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: For Apalachin NY author, writing daily devotionals 'a ministry'