Rising In Glory

"I have known Dr. Giebink for many years and worked with him professionally. Once he sent me a copy of one of his poems, I recognized the beauty of his writing. I asked him if he had other poems and he gave me his manuscript. As I read through each poem, I was usually moved to tears. I told him about my books and asked if he was interested in publishing his work. He was too shy to think that anyone would want to read his poems. I told him that Jesus says in Matthew that we are the light of the world, the salt of the earth and it is our responsibility to share our strength, experience, and hope with anyone who will listen. Maybe God wanted him to share his poems. He was still reluctant, but I kept asking him if he had sent his manuscript to a publisher and he kept saying no. I emailed him a list of publishers of poems and finally he forwarded his work to you. I believe this; the world needs this book because many of us feel the same way. We feel too insignificant to do God's work, but the Bible is full of flawed people called by God to share his message. ─Robert R. Perkinson, Ph.D. Reading Bob Giebink's reflections on his family in the Introduction to Rising in Glory: Poems from a Freed Soul provides an insight into his personal journey. Bob's parents, whom I knew, were exemplary people. His siblings, too, were influential in many lives; in my case, that was especially true of Bob's sister Jan.Bob's poetry that follows reveals an outdoorsman, a healer (Bob is a psychiatrist), a man who loves his family and friends, and a man of deep faith. I recommend this book to anyone. You will benefit from reading it!─Steven J. Bucklin, PhD Emeritus Professor, The University of South Dakota This journey of raw faith is rich in thoughtfully woven poems that provide a window into an authentic and open soul. By exposing real-life struggles with vulnerability and compassion that will resonate with readers familiar with mental health struggles and addictions, this patchwork of poems delivers a renewal of hope that God is ever present and has great plans for each of us. It is Dr. Giebink's own words that perhaps sum it up best, ""...most of all, I enjoy standing firmly in my literary lighthouse, shining gospel beacon out to sea, over the land, far and wide to all the nations, to the ends of the earth crying, 'Jesus loves you, He will save you.'""─Steph Korver, Chief Operating Officer of MWI Health Being Bob's brother, I can attest to his early passion for literature and then writing. I also witnessed his surprising transition from partygoer to humble servant. One thing I like about Bob's poems and essays is his descriptive efficiency. He often uses the beauty of nature as a calming touchstone, as well as evidence of creation by a loving being. My brother's writings may be a sort of self-therapy or form of praise, but they collectively express the basic tenets of Christianity that he would like to share with others who may be mired in fear and doubt. He wants to be his brother's keeper, and in my case, he literally has been.-Bradley Giebink, BS, Geological Engineering, Found Object Sculptor"