The Gift by B. J. Bassett

The Gift

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” John 3:16

As I approach my eightieth birthday, I marvel that God has never abandoned me in all these years. Even more miraculous is that He ran after me from the beginning.

            My parents didn’t go to church, so if a neighbor didn’t take me to Sunday school with them, I walked to the nearest church to attend. With my family moving often, I experienced many denominations, and they all welcomed me.

            It was in one of those neighborhood churches that at the age of fifteen, I accepted God’s gift of eternal life. I’d been looking for something, not knowing what or who I was seeking. A personal relationship with my Creator was what I needed and found.

It was the best decision I ever made. I’m so grateful that God sacrificed His only Son out of His love, forgiveness, and grace for me.

Have you accepted God’s gift of His Son, Jesus, and eternal life?

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.