Description
I have waited over five years to publish this book. It’s been inside me for decades, but I have been sensing the timing to release this book is now. It’s truly a day we are living in great challenges, but even more so, it’s a day of great opportunities. We need to seize the opportunities before us to honor Jesus.
In my early years of ministry, over forty-five years ago, I sought wisdom from seasoned men and women of God who had been in ministry for many years. The messages on finishing well shared by them greatly impacted my life. There were principles, systems, disciplines, and structures these senior folks in ministry had learned that they willingly shared with a new church called Windsor Christian Fellowship and its founding pastor, Rick Ciaramitaro.
Now, after forty-six years of ministry, I am sharing my stories and the principles and lessons of life that had helped me build an influential church. Even more so, they showed me the path of life in the spirit the Holy Spirit was preparing for my life and future. I purposed to seek out older leaders every chance I had and to glean from their wisdom, instruction, counsel, example, and lifestyle. I recognized the value of these experienced leaders was something you couldn’t put a price tag on. It was only through association with them. Watching and listening, observing the things they stood for, the values they embraced, the lifestyles they lived, the battles they would fight as well as the ones they didn’t go into have become a major part of my life and ministry to this day.
May you catch the revelation knowledge and passion of this message as you read through each chapter and apply the principles by God’s grace. May you enter into a life of purpose, fulfillment, adventure, and great passion for God. – Dr. Rick Ciaramitaro
“My parents have walked through many situations where they have chosen the hard road of forgiveness. We’ve seen them flourish through those situations because of their attitude of gratitude. They have spent their lives pouring out and giving to others. They are a true reflection of the character of Christ.”
— Brian & Sherianne Ciaramitaro
“My parents have exemplified the principles of giving, forgiving and thanksgiving. They inspire me to test my faith in the area of giving, and their generous lifestyle is something to aspire to in my own life. I’ve witnessed countless acts of generosity done in private with no credit given.
“Conflict comes to all of us, but I am amazed to see how my parents continually extend grace and forgiveness to those who wrong them. I have seen my parents emerge from the chrysalis of conflict and pain with their faith more vital and hearts soft, willing to let go and move forward. I am amazed at their resilience in the face of disrespect and disloyalty. Similarly, their capacity for forgiveness is just as generous.
“I am thankful for my parent’s example, and I believe their attitude of gratitude is what allows them to continue giving and forgiving. It is the secret to their largeness of heart in the face of life challenges.”
“You can read this book knowing that these principles of giving, forgiving and thanksgiving come from a tested life of authenticity. If you can embrace this message, you will be tapping into a treasure that will yield rewards not only for yourself but for your children and their children after that.”
— Melissa Cassidy (daughter)
Author of “Leaving Busy: Coming Home to Save My Soul”
Praise for Giving, Forgiving, and Thanksgiving… “My dad and mom have both been beautiful examples of walking out the principles of giving, always living with an open hand, knowing that God is the one that provides. They have modelled a life of forgiveness, even in the hardest of situations I have seen them choose to forgive. And thanksgiving to God has been their life message and is intertwined in all that they say and do. We are certainly thankful for them and their integrity, not just talking about these principles of God, but living them out with their actions.”
— Jaime & Jacob Frenette, Daughter and Son-in-law
