Gift of the Red Bird: The Story of a Divine Encounter

Great for discussion groups or small faith sharing groups - ladies will enjoy this!

The bool was in very good shape, and the price was fail.

The beautiful heartfelt writings in this book have touched me deeply. By the time I finished this read, Paula's words had made a significant impact on my life. Can't say enough about this publication. Highly recommend. In my opinion you won't be disappointed. The author seems to have the gift of expressing experiences that are difficult to describe. Somehow she is able to put it down in words. I'm grateful she did!

This book was a little different for me and from time to time I thought that it would get too deep into the mystical. Don't get me wrong, I don't totally dislike that, it's just that I view visions and voices with skepticism. Fortunately it was more about the author's view and interaction with the divine based on her thoughts and her openness to the wilderness within and without.When at 27, a newly pregnant D'Arcy survives a horrible car accident that takes the life of her 2 year old daughter and her husband, she is, naturally, thrown into a deep despair. Now, broken, she faces an unexpected future and can barely bring herself to prepare for the birth of the child within. She claws back to reality as she recognizes her emptiness as a way of finding God and in her first honest prayer, whispers, "God, if you are really out there, help me. Let me find you." As the days follow, her largest question of God is "Why? After months of this she feels a presence within that tells her she is not alone, and begins to learn that she has never been alone, and that it is her choice to decide how to face the future. This continues until the night of her daughter's birth and a complete surrender to God.As with all of us, life gets in the way and D'Arcy, who had become a public speaker talking about her faith, gave more and more hours to her activities and unwittingly robbed herself of her interior time. This was a slow, unnoticed problem that culminated in a feeling of distress, and finally total exhaustion and a stubborn minor llness that left her unable to do anything but lie in bed and sleep for eight months. Through this experience she finally sees she must address her busyness, her need to do everything, and her lack of time in prayer.D'Arcy slowly begins to heal, to say "no" to commitments that will not assist her in recovery, and pray more. In her prayer and searching she decides to go on a vision quest. This event requires quite a commitment in time of preparation and the initial group goes from 50 people at the initial meeting to four through the rigorous and frightening preparation time. The final step is three days and nights alone in the wilderness, fasting. This is definitely a point of skepticism for me, but rather tantalizing. While she details her experience, she does not reveal her exact struggles or turn the reader into a skeptic.D'Arcy is still involved in speaking and spirituality practices.

enjoyable read

Paula D'Arcy is a great writer. I have given this book as a gift to people struggling with grief several times. It is insightful and honest. Very helpful book. A pleasure to read.

I love this book. It is a book you can re-read over again and love it. This is a beautifully written book that will speak to your heart and inspire you. If you have ever been through any kind of loss, you will find this book hopeful and uplifting. This a book I have put in my daughter's hope chests hoping when they grow up they will read and be inspired by it.

My favorite, and the most inspirational book I have read in all of 2018. Bought all 3 of my daughters this book for Christmas. I reaped so many beautiful God delivered messages through Paula’s honesty in sharing her life, and the wisdom she gained by being present in the Lord! It is an encouragement to me to not only desire,but to actually spend more time with God, and to see Him and live with Him minute by minute in my day to day life! I have read this 3 times in a month!

A truly inspring and thought provoking read. Paula D'Arcy is writes very honestly about her experiences.The book includes questions at the back of the book to help you further explore what you have learned when reading the book.