Offerings: A Daily Collection of Wit and Wisdom Wrapped in an Attitude of Gratitude

Every person, regardless of who they are or where they live, goes through difficult times. But it's what we do with those difficult times that shows our character and resolve and determines the roads we choose in life. Offerings is a year-long guide to help deal with the inevitable adversity in life.

Signs of struggle are all around us, and negativity is not hard to come by. Everyone needs hope, and Offerings provides that hope, one day at a time, all year long. It only takes a few minutes to read each offering, and there is one for each day of the year, allowing the reader to start each new day with a positive outlook on life.

Dated daily entries begin on January 1 and continue through the end of the calendar year. Each day's offering includes an inspirational quote and a personal application opportunity. This year-long journey invites the reader to leave the past where it is, count blessings daily, and stay focused on the big picture.

Jim Muir claims his personal work history resembles a roller-coaster ride. A few months after his 1971 graduation from Sesser-Valier High School, and one month after his 18th birthday, Muir started working at Old Ben Coal Mine 21, traveling 650 feet underground each day to earn a living. That was his life--swing shift, coal dust, and danger--for 20 years, until the coal industry bottomed out and nearly all the coal mines closed.

Muir enrolled at Rend Lake College and took his first college class at the age of 38. While at Rend Lake, Muir discovered his talent for writing and speaking and after graduation he carved out a dual career as a writer and broadcaster. He cut his teeth in the newspaper industry at the Benton Evening News and then later at the Southern Illinoisan as a reporter/columnist. At the same time, he also landed a job as sports director at WQRL in Benton where he hosted two weekly two-hour radio shows and did play-by-play for Benton High School football, basketball, baseball, and softball. His career in newspaper/radio covered nearly 25 years.

In 2016, Muir decided he wanted to pursue a lifelong dream to run for public office. He threw his hat in the ring for Franklin County Circuit Clerk and defeated the incumbent by a wide margin--thus launching his next career.

Muir and his wife, Lisa Kay, have six children and 11 grandchildren--10 under the age of eight years old--and one very needy Daschund named Dearie. Muir has no plans to retire and hopes to work a half day on Judgment Day!