DOCSLIB.ORG

Images of Light and Darkness in Scripture

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Images of Light and Darkness in Scripture AUGUST 2017 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 IMAGES OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS IN SCRIPTURE A devotional from TIW_August_2017_4C_ic.indd 1 5/19/17 3:19 PM TODAY WITH DR. PAUL NYQUIST President of Moody Global Ministries Light Changes Everything One of the great joys will not walk in the darkness but will of my life is being have the Light of life” (John 8:12). Like called “Grandpa” by the sun that illuminates our world, Jesus our six grandchildren, provides clarity and truth. He is the ages 1 to 6. And now source of life; through Him we grow that our own children and thrive. are fully grown, Cheryl and I have a renewed love for If you have ever gone to bed early ordinary parenting moments such as only to have someone turn on a lamp, tucking little ones into bed. you realize it is difficult to partially illuminate a room. Once a light switch is Sometimes, after we say a prayer and turned on, it cuts through darkness. In read a bedtime story, they’ll call out the same way, when we accept Christ to us because they are afraid. In the as our Savior, His light cuts through darkness, they imagine a monster the darkness of our lives. We can see lying in wait. And I get to be the hero clearly and understand spiritual things of the story, turning on the light switch previously hidden from us. to show them that no one is under the bed or in the closet. With the room fully The Bible says, “God is Light, and in illuminated, their fears are put to rest. Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). We, too, are called to be light in Light changes everything, doesn’t it? this dark world. As we reflect Christ in Is it any wonder that Jesus referred our lives, we shed His light in the world to Himself as the Light of the World? around us. Proverbs 4:18 says, “But the Trapped by sin in spiritual darkness, path of the righteous is like the light of previously blind to His truth, our path dawn, that shines brighter and brighter is now clearly illuminated by the Light until the full day.” of God. While sometimes we may be unnerved by the darkness in the world The next time you turn on a light switch around us, we can rest assured that or see the sun rising over the edge of God’s perfect light casts out fear. the horizon, remember that we serve the Light of the World, and you and I are Jesus said to His disciples, “I am the called to reflect His light to others. Light Light of the world; he who follows Me changes everything. n 800 3566639 TIW_August_2017_4C_ic.indd 2 5/19/17 3:19 PM THEOLOGY MATTERS by Dr. John Koessler God and Sin umanity has long wrestled with his offspring were guilty of and inclined the question of the origin of sin toward sin. Hand evil. As the Creator of all things, did God create evil? Are good Sin entered the world through Adam, and evil equal forces in the universe? but it did not begin with him (Rom. 5:12–14). Satan was created prior to According to Jesus, God alone is good Adam and was the first to fall into sin (Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19). Jesus meant (Luke 10:18). Like Adam, Satan was more than that God meets a standard, created with a capacity to either obey characterized as good. He meant that or disobey God’s command. Satan fell good does not exist apart from God. into sin when he aspired not merely God is perfect and is incapable of sin to be like God but to replace Him (Isa. (Matt. 5:48). Since God alone is good, 14:12–15; Matt. 4:9–10). This ambition good can only come from God. was reflected in Satan’s appeal to Eve to eat the forbidden fruit in order to Sin and evil were not part of God’s “be like God” (Gen. 3:4–5). original creation. When God initially assessed all that He had made, He Some religions (especially Eastern concluded that it was “very good” religions) explain God’s relation to sin (Gen. 1:31). Not only was this true of as an aspect of God, a counter- creation which reflected His glory, it balancing facet of His nature. Others was especially true of Adam and Eve, who refuse to make God responsible who were expressly made in God’s for evil claim that it has always been a image (Gen. 1:26). Because Adam and factor in creation, making it coexistent Eve were created good, they were with and autonomous from God. The created with the ability to obey. When Bible rejects both views. Evil began God placed Adam in the Garden, He with Satan’s rebellion and entered into commanded him not to eat of the tree human experience through Adam’s sin. of the knowledge of good and evil Evil rejected the only One who is the (Gen. 2:16–17). Prior to his sin, Adam true source of good. n had the capacity both to obey and to disobey. What Adam did not yet have FOR FURTHER STUDY was a proclivity for sin. This changed To learn more about God and the origin after Adam disobeyed. When Adam fell, of evil, read Genesis 1-11: Creation, his nature changed so that he and all Sin, and the Nature of God by John MacArthur (Thomas Nelson). TODAYINTHEWORD.COM TIW_August_2017_4C_ic.indd 3 6/2/17 7:15 AM TODAY AT MOODY Graduates from Moody School of the Bible in Ghana This August, we celebrate the first For this program, Theovision staff group of African pastors and church members traveled to the Akan- or leaders to graduate from the Moody Twi-speaking areas looking for pastors School of the Bible program in Ghana. or church leaders in rural communities Dr. Paul Nyquist, president of Moody who had little or no Bible education. Global Ministries, traveled to Ghana to From these applicants, 250 people congratulate the graduates. were selected to participate. The project required transcribing the With the assistance of Theovision, Moody Radio audio programs and Moody Radio translated and recorded then translating them into Akan, the classes of Moody’s long-running local language. The resulting programs program Radio School of the Bible on were recorded on solar-powered audio solar-powered audio players, providing devices, designed for use in rural areas pastors and church leaders in rural with limited access to electricity. villages with access to theological and biblical education. One participant, Joshua Afari, said, “This device, with Bible courses in Theodore Asare, founder of Theovision, our language, is going to be helpful agrees. “Moody Radio School of the to everyone, especially to those who Bible in the Akan language is one of cannot read, and in rural villages where the best things that has happened in there is no electricity. Through this our ministry of reaching Africa’s oral oral School of the Bible, Christianity cultures with God’s Word,” he says. will see a lot of progress in our part of “This training is the first of its kind that the world.” I know of in Ghana. Already, other language groups are asking for such The program addresses an urgent need training to be done in their language.” for biblical and theological training in Africa. “Many people have a passion Moody Radio School of the Bible began to teach God’s Word, but they lack in 1926, the first correspondence Bible training,” says Stephen Asare, son study program offered by radio in the of Theovision founder and Moody United States. Today those programs graduate. “This is helpful as they dive are being repurposed for global use to more into God’s Word. It has a lot of equip Christian leaders who will impact meat to it.” n their communities for Christ. 800 3566639 TIW_August_2017_4C_ic.indd 4 6/2/17 7:13 AM VOLUME 30 • ISSUE 8 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Bruce Everhart MANAGING EDITOR Heather Mott SENIOR EDITOR Elena Mafter Images of Light and Darkness CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jamie Janosz in Scripture John Koessler WRITER Light and its reflections help create timeless Brad Baurain masterworks of architecture. In the 20th century, ART DIRECTOR Lynn Gabalec American architect Louis I. Kahn transformed GRAPHIC DESIGNERS architecture and continues to inspire architects Larry Bohlin, Rachel Hutcheson today with his use of light to define the building, BUSINESS MANAGER Paul B. Currie elevating it from functional to extraordinary. MARKETING MANAGER Claire Kniowski This month in Today in the Word, as we study MOODY GLOBAL MINISTRIES images of light in the Bible, we’ll see that Christ is PRESIDENT J. Paul Nyquist the ultimate Light for the nations, transforming lives PROVOST and calling us to His truth. We’ll note that His Word Junias Venugopal gives light, guides, and protects. It elevates the EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Steven Mogck worth of a life. The Bible also warns us that sinners SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT rebel against the light and call it darkness, but we Greg R. Thornton can rejoice that Christ rescued us from the darkness CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Ken Heulitt of our sin and brought us into His glorious light. CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER God turns darkness into light! Samuel Choy VICE PRESIDENTS Tim Arens Thank you for staying with us on our journey Larry Davidhizar through the Bible with Today in the Word.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Light of the World Matthew 5:14-16
    The Light of the World Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. - Matthew 5:14-15 Jesus says His followers are the light of the world. This week, find out how you can shine God's amazing light into the world around you. Pray each day to talk to God about what you are learning. Day #2 continued: The Light John 1:6-9 describes Jesus' cousin John the Have you ever thought about the sun? Now Baptist: "A man came who was sent from God. His there's a light! Scientists tell us that the sun is a name was John. He came to give witness about ball of burning gases that is 109 times larger than that light. He gave witness so that all people could the earth! That is like a basketball compared to believe. John himself was not the light. He came the head of a pin. When the sun is shining, it lights only as a witness to the light. The true light that up half of our planet at a time. What does it mean gives light to every man was coming into the world." when Jesus tells us to shine? What does it mean to be a witness? A witness in In the same way, let your light shine in front of a courtroom is one who has seen something and others.
    [Show full text]
  • Light the World 2020 Prompt Calendar US Version
    December hen Jesus Christ was born, angels proclaimed, “Peace on earth, 2020 good will to men.” This December, the promise remains the same. WAs we serve others the way Jesus served, we can end 2020 on a hopeful note. Use this calendar for inspiration as you use every day as a new opportunity to #LightTheWorld. Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday GIVING TUESDAY HERO HIGHLIGHT PEACE ON EARTH THE CHRIST CHILD PAY IT BACKWARDS Text “LIGHT” to 71234 to get Give like Jesus did. Make a Who represents Christlike love Help others feel peace as Jesus Jesus’s birth brought hope. Watch Show gratitude like Jesus did. donation to charity, or volunteer to you? Highlight them on social did. Post a picture or video to The Christ Child, screenshot a Think of someone who served daily reminders on your phone. with a local nonprofit and post a media. social media that brings you moment that gives you hope, and you and return the favor. link so others can participate. peace and calm. share why on social media. Sunday Monday 01 02 03 04 05 FAST RELIEF SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS HEALTH CARING WORDS OF LOVE LIGHT THE FAMILY TREE TREATS TIMES TWO SHOP WITH CARE Fast as Jesus did. Go without a Lift others like Jesus did. Decorate Show appreciation for health-care Be mindful of those you love, like Like Jesus, you can honor those Share as Jesus did. Make two Jesus cared for His community. meal or two and donate the cost a neighbor’s door with Christmas workers. Share a post inviting Jesus was.
    [Show full text]
  • 7 LAST WORDS of CHRIST a Good Friday Tenebrae Service
    7 LAST WORDS OF CHRIST A Good Friday Tenebrae Service ABOUT THIS SERVICE: This service focuses on the Seven Last Words of Christ and is patterned after the ancient office of Tenebrae. The word "Tenebrae" means darkness. The purpose of the service is to impress upon us the terrible reality of sin, which caused our Savior to die for us. The service begins with the stripping of the altar. As Jesus was stripped for crucifixion, so our altar and chancel are laid bare in remembrance of His great suffering. As the service continues, you will hear your Savior speak His last words, which are recorded for us in the four Gospels. Each reading is followed by a brief devotion, silence, prayer, and a hymn. After each of the 7 Words is read, a candle is extinguished, causing the chancel to become increasingly darkened. By this we are reminded of the darkness that covered the earth at the time our Lord’s crucifixion. It also serves as a reminder of the spiritual darkness that would exist had the Light of the world not come. The exit of the Christ Candle, near the close of the service, signifies Christ's death and burial. Then there is a loud noise, symbolizing the closing of the tomb. The Christ Candle will reappear at the Easter Festival Service in celebration of the resurrection. SILENT PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP: Lord Jesus Christ, as I meditate in this service on Your death for me, let those final sentences which You spoke from the cross impart a personal blessing, that I may both worship in spirit and truth and be moved to sacrifice my whole life as an offering to You.
    [Show full text]
  • Massive Darkness Rulebook
    RULES & QUESTS MASSIVE DARKNESS - RULES CHAPTERS GAME COMPONENTS ................... 3 ENEMIES’ PHASE........................ 28 Step 1 – Attack . 28 STORY: THE LIGHTBRINGERS’ LEGACY......... 5 Step 2 – Move . 28 SETUP ............................ 6 Step 3 – Attack . 28 Step 4 – Move . 28 GAME OVERVIEW ..................... 11 EXPERIENCE PHASE ....................... 31 BASIC RULES . 12 EVENT PHASE.......................... 32 ACTORS............................... 12 END PHASE ........................... 33 ZONES ............................... 13 COMBAT.......................... 33 SHADOW MODE.......................... 13 COMBAT ROLL ......................... 33 LINE OF SIGHT .......................... 14 Step 1 – Rolling Dice . 33 MOVING .............................. 15 Step 2 – Resolve The Enchantments . 34 LEVELS AND LEVEL TOKENS .................. 15 Step 3 – Inflict Pain! . 35 COMBAT DICE........................... 16 MOB RULES ........................... 36 HEROES ........................... 17 ADDITIONAL RULES ................... 37 HERO CARD ............................ 17 ARTIFACTS............................ 37 HERO DASHBOARD ........................ 17 OBJECTIVE AND PILLAR TOKENS .............. 37 CLASS SHEET ........................... 18 STUN ............................... 37 EQUIPMENT CARDS ................... 19 STORY MODE .......................... 38 COMBAT EQUIPMENT ...................... 19 Experience And Level . 38 Event Cards . 38 ITEMS .............................. 20 Inventory . 38 CONSUMABLES ........................
    [Show full text]
  • Emotional and Spatial Learning in Goldfish Is Dependent on Different
    European Journal of Neuroscience, Vol. 21, pp. 2800–2806, 2005 ª Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Emotional and spatial learning in goldfish is dependent on different telencephalic pallial systems Manuel Portavella1,* and Juan P. Vargas2 1Departamento de Psicologı´a Experimental. Universidad de Sevilla. C ⁄ Camilo Jose´ Cela s ⁄ n, E-41018, Seville, Spain 2SISSA. Cognitive Neuroscience Sector. Via Beirut, 2 ⁄ 4, 34014 Trieste, Italy Keywords: amygdala, avoidance learning, brain evolution, hippocampus, memory systems Abstract In mammals, the amygdala and the hippocampus are involved in different aspects of learning. Whereas the amygdala complex is involved in emotional learning, the hippocampus plays a critical role in spatial and contextual learning. In fish, it has been suggested that the medial and lateral region of the telencephalic pallia might be the homologous neural structure to the mammalian amygdala and hippocampus, respectively. Although there is evidence of the implication of medial and lateral pallium in several learning processes, it remains unclear whether both pallial areas are involved distinctively in different learning processes. To address this issue, we examined the effect of selective ablation of the medial and lateral pallium on both two-way avoidance and reversal spatial learning in goldfish. The results showed that medial pallium lesions selectively impaired the two-way avoidance task. In contrast, lateral pallium ablations impaired the spatial task without affecting the avoidance performance. These results indicate that the medial and lateral pallia in fish are functionally different and necessary for emotional and spatial learning, respectively. Present data could support the hypothesis that a sketch of these regions of the limbic system, and their associated functions, were present in the common ancestor of fish and terrestrial vertebrates 400 million years ago.
    [Show full text]
  • Discourse and Identity: Representations of Women in Little Mix’S Songs
    DISCOURSE AND IDENTITY: REPRESENTATIONS OF WOMEN IN LITTLE MIX’S SONGS BY ALYA AISYAH BINTI AMRAN INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA 2020 DISCOURSE AND IDENTITY: REPRESENTATIONS OF WOMEN IN LITTLE MIX’S SONGS BY ALYA AISYAH BINTI AMRAN A Final Year Project submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of English for International Communications Kulliyyah of Languages and Management International Islamic University Malaysia JANUARY 2020 ABSTRACT Discrimination against women is a global issue and has been for years. Even in developing countries women experience biasness on the basis of their gender. The study aims to identify the different social roles and traits of women that can be found in song lyrics. Past studies explored various issues of what women face in their daily lives whether it be in education, social relationships and decision making in context of gender discrimination that are present in the media and songs. This is an exploratory study on representations of women in songs. The artist chosen for this study is the United Kingdom’s all female group, Little Mix. A qualitative research approach was used to fulfill the objectives of this research. A total of 29 Little Mix songs were chosen as the data and Membership Categorization Analysis was used as the framework of this research. Based on the analyses, a total of five social roles and three traits were found shared among women that were present in the songs. Women were represented both positively and negatively in Little Mix’s songs. The study may contribute to future studies that uses Membership Categorization Analysis as their framework of study.
    [Show full text]
  • “Why So Serious?” Comics, Film and Politics, Or the Comic Book Film As the Answer to the Question of Identity and Narrative in a Post-9/11 World
    ABSTRACT “WHY SO SERIOUS?” COMICS, FILM AND POLITICS, OR THE COMIC BOOK FILM AS THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION OF IDENTITY AND NARRATIVE IN A POST-9/11 WORLD by Kyle Andrew Moody This thesis analyzes a trend in a subgenre of motion pictures that are designed to not only entertain, but also provide a message for the modern world after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The analysis provides a critical look at three different films as artifacts of post-9/11 culture, showing how the integration of certain elements made them allegorical works regarding the status of the United States in the aftermath of the attacks. Jean Baudrillard‟s postmodern theory of simulation and simulacra was utilized to provide a context for the films that tap into themes reflecting post-9/11 reality. The results were analyzed by critically examining the source material, with a cultural criticism emerging regarding the progression of this subgenre of motion pictures as meaningful work. “WHY SO SERIOUS?” COMICS, FILM AND POLITICS, OR THE COMIC BOOK FILM AS THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION OF IDENTITY AND NARRATIVE IN A POST-9/11 WORLD A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Miami University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Communications Mass Communications Area by Kyle Andrew Moody Miami University Oxford, Ohio 2009 Advisor ___________________ Dr. Bruce Drushel Reader ___________________ Dr. Ronald Scott Reader ___________________ Dr. David Sholle TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .......................................................................................................................... III CHAPTER ONE: COMIC BOOK MOVIES AND THE REAL WORLD ............................................. 1 PURPOSE OF STUDY ...................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Summary of Presentations
    Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Summary of Presentations “Help Me Fall in Love with God” The philosophy of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program is that even very young children have a religious life. God is present to them in their deepest being and they are capable of developing both a conscious and intimate relationship with God. We provide materials based on age-appropriate Scripture passages and liturgical signs that nurture their relationship with God. The program balances exposure to our liturgy and the richness of our communal sacramental life with reading the Bible. Our program begins with presenting the New Testament to the children because it is the foundation of our faith. The youngest learn about Jesus and the beauty and wonder of the Kingdom of God through carefully chosen Bible verses that foster a deep love for Jesus. As they grow older they are encouraged to think about their personal responsibility to maintain this relationship with God and their social responsibility in the world. The oldest group studies the Old Testament in great detail and continues to deepen their understanding of the liturgy. They plan worship services and begin community service. Each presentation has specific materials designed to draw the child into the Biblical and Liturgical themes. These materials are always available to the children during their work time so they have additional opportunity to absorb the lessons. The following is a summary to the presentations offered for Level I. Classes are structured to offer a time of prayer and song, a time for the “presentation” and a time for individual work by the child.
    [Show full text]
  • Extending and Visualizing Authorship in Comics Studies
    AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Nicholas A. Brown for the degree of Master of Arts in English presented on April 30, 2015 Title: Extending and Visualizing Authorship in Comics Studies. Abstract approved: ________________________________________________________________________ Tim T. Jensen Ehren H. Pflugfelder This thesis complicates the traditional associations between authorship and alphabetic composition within the comics medium and examines how the contributions of line artists and writers differ and may alter an audience's perceptions of the medium. As a fundamentally multimodal and collaborative work, the popular superhero comic muddies authorial claims and requires further investigations should we desire to describe authorship more accurately and equitably. How might our recognition of the visual author alter our understandings of the author construct within, and beyond, comics? In this pursuit, I argue that the terminology available to us determines how deeply we may understand a topic and examine instances in which scholars have attempted to develop on a discipline's body of terminology by borrowing from another. Although helpful at first, these efforts produce limited success, and discipline-specific terms become more necessary. To this end, I present the visual/alphabetic author distinction to recognize the possibility of authorial intent through the visual mode. This split explicitly recognizes the possibility of multimodal and collaborative authorships and forces us to re-examine our beliefs about authorship more generally. Examining the editors' note, an instance of visual plagiarism, and the MLA citation for graphic narratives, I argue for recognition of alternative authorships in comics and forecast how our understandings may change based on the visual/alphabetic split.
    [Show full text]
  • Demon Girl Power: Regimes of Form and Force in Videogames Primal and Buffy the Vampire Slayer
    Demon Girl Power: Regimes of Form and Force in videogames Primal and Buffy the Vampire Slayer Tanya Krzywinska Brunel University Abstract 'There's nothing like a spot of demon slaughter to make a girl's night' Since the phenomenal success of the Tomb Raider (1996) videogame series a range of other videogames have used carefully branded animated female avatars. As with most other media, the game industry tends to follow and expand on established lucrative formats to secure an established market share. Given the capacity of videogames to create imaginary worlds in 3D that can be interacted with, it is not perhaps surprising that pre-established worlds are common in videogames, as is the case with Buffy the Vampire Slayer (there are currently three videogames based on the cult TV show 2000-2003), but in other games worlds have to be built from scratch, as is the case with Primal (2003). With the mainstream media's current romance with kick- ass action heroines, the advantage of female animated game avatars is their potential to broaden the appeal of games across genders. This is however a double-edged affair: as well as appealing to what might be a termed a post-feminist market, animated forms enable hyper-feminine proportions and impossible vigour. I argue that becoming demon - afforded by the plasticity of animation –- in these games troubles the representational qualities ordinarily afforded to female avatars in videogames. But I also argue that theories of representation are insufficient for a full understanding of the formal particularities of videogames and as such it is crucial to address the impact of media-specific attributes of videogames on the interpellation of players into the game space and the way that power regimes are organised.
    [Show full text]
  • {DOWNLOAD} Viva Coldplay: a Biography Ebook Free Download
    VIVA COLDPLAY: A BIOGRAPHY PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Martin Roach | 240 pages | 01 Nov 2010 | OMNIBUS PRESS | 9781849385466 | English | London, United Kingdom Viva Coldplay: A Biography PDF Book CBC News. In the United States, the song was released as the lead single from the then-untitled debut album. Books Video icon An illustration of two cells of a film strip. The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 28 August Official Charts. Retrieved 7 September Archived from the original on 15 May Video Audio icon An illustration of an audio speaker. Retrieved 24 April Quotes from Coldplay: Viva Co After completing their final examinations, Coldplay signed a five-album contract with Parlophone in early Archived from the original on 7 July Retrieved 10 May Retrieved 6 February Retrieved 28 September They decided to relocate in Liverpool, where they recorded some of the songs on Parachutes. The band played beneath Hope , a giant year-old skeleton of a blue whale in the museum's great hall. Home 1 Books 2. Chris Martin is lead singer, guitarist and pianist for the band Coldplay. Their performance included a duet with Barry Gibb , the last surviving member of the Bee Gees. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Sort order. Retrieved 2 October English explorer Martin Frobisher is best known for his attempts to discover a Northwest Passage and his voyages to Labrador and Frobisher Bay in Canada. In , it was unusual for a pop group to have a monthly magazine devoted exclusively to their career. Viva Coldplay: A Biography Writer Retrieved 12 December Archived from the original on 8 July Archived from the original on 24 January Together, they debuted the song live at the Brit Awards with Chris Martin also performing a tribute song to the late George Michael.
    [Show full text]
  • TREASURES O F DARKNESS
    TREASURES of DARKNESS Copyright © 2014, Jane Johnson Photography & Design, LLC All rights reserved. ISBN-13: 978-0692258187 • ISBN-10: 0692258183 Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture citations are from the NKJV © 1994 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Cover design by Jane Johnson Design Cover photograph by Jenna Michelle Photography HELLO & WELCOME Thank you so much for being here. For embarking on a brand new journey with me. For being brave and open and hungering for more of Him. The words on these pages are the result of a dish cloth of faith being wrung dry. They are straight out of my prayer journal. Real. Raw. Honest. More honest and vulnerable than I have been outside of conversations with Him ... ever. Which is scary for me. But glory for Him. I wrote this study in 2011. It's nine weeks long, with five days of homework for each week. A God-breathed, Holy-Spirit-inspired, I-could-never-have-done-this-if-it-wasn't- for-Him type of study. We were five years into our wait for a family. My best friend was five months into an 18-month battle with stage four cancer - a battle she lost one year later. I was neck-deep in heartache. Words rang hollow in my heart pierced by pain.1 But through the plucking of my heartstrings came this. The book you're holding in your hands. Cover uncreased. Pages fresh. Treasures undiscovered. It's such an honor to have you here with me. Truly. Praying His Spirit fills you with every word, 1 Ray Stedman, Let God Be God SMALL STEPS Generally, a book's forward is written by a published author or person of significance.
    [Show full text]