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Come and listen, all you who fear God,

and I will tell you what he did for me.

(Psalm 66:16)

You are in for a wonderful treat this fall. Why?

Chuck’s forthcoming memoir titled, Awakened by Grace: The Life Story of Chuck Swindoll, will be released. I’ve already read it and I love it. How did I get the opportunity to see it in advance of others? Read on.

Years ago, Insight for Living hosted one of its amazing Holy Land tours. Chuck and Cynthia invited my wife, Kathi, and me to come along so I could serve as the emcee of the event. Having served in that role for several IFL tours, I considered the invitation for 2.4 seconds and immediately agreed. I knew it was going to be a great trip filled with special memories.

I wasn’t disappointed. Seeing the land of Israel and walking in Jesus’ footsteps is an experience unlike any other. Along with the mind-boggling sightseeing and the camaraderie of friends, new and old, a seed was planted on that trip that many would discount, but I knew the person behind the promise. I knew he was a man of his word.

It was toward the tour’s end. Guests and much of the staff were housed in the lovely Dan Jerusalem Hotel.

It turned out that the Swindolls and the Butterworths were both staying on the same hotel floor, which is how Chuck and I ended up by the bank of elevators, waiting to go down to the lobby. We engaged in our usual banter, which always included something I might say that would make him laugh. Like so many of you, I love to hear Chuck’s laugh. It’s music to my soul.

But I had another topic I wanted to raise, and this one was an important one for me. Waiting for the elevator seemed to provide the right opportunity, so I took a big breath and spoke. “Chuck, I think you ought to consider writing your memoir.”

He looked at me and smiled, “People don’t want to read about my life."

“Oh, yes they do,” I interrupted.

“Well, I don’t know about that…”

I took another deep breath. “Okay. If you ever decide to do it, I’d be honoured to help you with it in any way that I could.”

After a pause he said, “If I ever decide to write it, I will certainly have you help me with it.”

I’ve known Chuck for more than 50 years, and among the myriad character qualities he possesses, he is a man of integrity and authenticity. Here are a couple of ways he demonstrated those traits to me.

First, he’s a man of his word. Almost two years ago he began to work on his memoir. As he promised, he invited me to assist him by using my skills in ghostwriting and collaborating. He called it “working my magic.” In that Jerusalem hotel years before, neither one of us realized how this working relationship would develop. As time went on, Chuck’s eyesight began to fade, so by the time we sat down to create a first draft, Chuck would verbally walk me through stories of his life as I furiously took notes. I’d visit him in his home for hours, and I so enjoyed watching him lean back in his office chair, feet atop his desk, eyes closed, hands folded as he revisited the many and varied venues of his life.

Second, I saw his authenticity in the actual creation of the memoir. There were no attempts on his part to cover up portions of his life. He could have woven a good story just using the happy parts. Instead, the book includes a variety of struggles he faced. A challenging childhood, the unsettled feeling in his first job, questioning God’s will when he was sent to Okinawa as a young Marine, several struggles in his pastorates, and the demands of growing older are all handled with honesty, grace, and dignity.

Awakened by Grace: The Life Story of Chuck Swindoll is a truthful and loving look at a man of authenticity. Be on the lookout. We’ll let you know when it’s released this fall. You’re going to love it!