Practical Faith Academy - Season 5, Episode 15 - Lee and Donna Allen, Forgiveness, Family and Faith

Lee and Donna Allen, Forgiveness, Faith and Family

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

Lee and Donna Allen are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their beloved Christmas book, “The Special Guest,” with an anniversary edition release. Lee wrote the words, and Donna illustrated. Lee has gone on to write a new book, “Legend of the Wooden Star.” The Allens join the podcast to share their themes of forgiveness, family, and faith.

Highlights of the podcast: 

2:21 The Allens discuss their seven-day practical faith approach and what it has meant in praying for their one-month granddaughter with a heart defect

8:05 The book has a strong theme of forgiveness

13:15 Donna’s view on how illustrations enhance a book

15:40 Examples of what a special guest is

19:30 How to use the book to create lasting memories that span generations 

23:08 The hardest part about putting faith into practice

24:48 Their best tips for developing and maintaining a seven-day practical faith

26:40 How to find “The Special Guest” and the new sequel, “Legend of the Wooden Star.”

Lee & Donna Allen’s books, The Special Guest, A Christmas Story and Legend of the Wooden Star, are available everywhere books are sold. Beloved by families for their timeless message of faith, forgiveness, and hope, these stories continue to touch hearts across generations. You can find more about the books, resources, and updates on their website: TheSpecialGuestChristmas.com. You can also follow on social media:

Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570868086211 

Threads: threads.com/@thespecialguestbook 

Instagram: instagram.com/thespecialguestbook 

YouTube: youtube.com/@TheSpecialGuestBook

I’m Cecil Taylor – award-winning author, speaker, blogger, and of course, podcaster. I’m focused on teaching Christians to live their faith and represent Jesus every day of the week. Everything I offer for your faith journey can be found at the same starting point: https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Please visit and find ways to enrich your daily walk.

On the podcast, I mentioned my speaking ministry. Learn more and download my speaker kit at https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/speaking. You can also book me for your event right there on the page. I’m booking now for 2026 events, so let’s talk about it!

I also mentioned three anthology books to which I contributed: Chicken Soup for the Soul’s “Spirit of Christmas,” Grace Publishing’s “Tis the Season,” and Dressed in Love Press’s “From Ruins to Restoration.” Check your favorite booksellers for their availability.

For regular, free assistance for your faith journey or your parenting journey, please sign up for my free newsletters, either on the main ministry site (https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com) or my parenting site (https://www.UnisonParenting.com). Simply scroll down while visiting either home page to find the registration form.

• On CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I offer Ministry Connection (practical faith tips plus updates on my ministry) and Backstage Pass (an insider look at the behind-the-scenes of my life and my ministry).
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For proven parenting advice that shows how you can raise high self-esteem children to mature, independent adulthood while staying aligned as parents in a harmonious family atmosphere, please visit https://www.UnisonParenting.com. That’s my parenting site, also accessible from the main site.

On the parenting site, please see a special $10 offer for my book, “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice.” I’m cutting out the middleman to undersell the big booksellers. I’ll ship it to you for free within the U.S., plus present you with six free bonus gifts! Either visit my parenting site or go directly to the sale at https://www.CecilTaylorAcademy.com/book.

Thanks for listening to the pod