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Worshiping with United Methodists Revised Edition: A Guide for Pastors and Church Leaders
by Hoyt L. HickmanRevised and updated, this popular book shows pastors and worship leaders the basics of United Methodist worship. In this straightforward and updated commentary, Hoyt Hickman explains the basic pattern of United Methodist worship within the broader context of Christian worship. Drawing upon five basic principles, the author explains the formative nature of worship and how it can revitalize persons' lives. These principles are: God's Word is primary; active congregational participation is crucial; spontaneity and order are both important; worship should be relevant and inclusive; and worship is communion. This revision will highlight the African-American contribution to UM worship, discuss at greater length what the various worship styles mean for us today, say more about the formative nature of worship, and include updated resources including the Abingdon Worship Annual, the Abingdon Preaching Annual, and WorshipConnection. Explains basic resources for planning and leading worship. Gives the basic pattern of UM worship and its origins. Gives practical suggestions how to renew and revitalize worship. Helps pastors be effective leaders in planning and revitalizing worship. Helps pastors understand and communicate the uniqueness of UM worship. Helps pastors lead their congregation into a deeper and richer experience of God through worship.
Worshipping God: Devoting Our Lives to His Glory (Hodder Christian Essentials Ser.)
by R.T. KendallUnderstand how your act of worship through your daily life and expression of gratitude and love draws you closer to God. We are called, by the way we live and in all we do, to worship God. Yet most of us do not have the proper understanding of what worship really is. In Worshipping God, R. T. Kendall shows us the true meaning of worship as a way of honoring, glorifying, and loving God. Dealing with the different ways people worship, he explores the connection between our worship and our relationship with God.
The Worst-Kept Secret
by Avner CohenIsrael has made a unique contribution to the nuclear age. It has created a special "bargain" with the bomb. Israel is the only nuclear-armed state that does not acknowledge its possession of the bomb, even though its existence is a common knowledge throughout the world. It only says that it will not be the first to introduce nuclear weapons to the Middle East. The bomb is Israel's collective ineffable-the nation's last great taboo. This bargain has a name: in Hebrew, it is called amimut, or opacity. By adhering to the bargain, which was born in a secret deal between Richard Nixon and Golda Meir, Israel has created a code of nuclear conduct that encompasses both governmental policy and societal behavior. The bargain has deemphasized the salience of nuclear weapons, yet it is incompatible with the norms and values of a liberal democracy. It relies on secrecy, violates the public right to know, and undermines the norm of public accountability and oversight, among other offenses. It is also incompatible with emerging international nuclear norms. Author of the critically acclaimed Israel and the Bomb, Avner Cohen offers a bold and original study of this politically explosive subject. Along with a fair appraisal of the bargain's strategic merits, Cohen critiques its undemocratic flaws. Arguing that the bargain has become increasingly anachronistic, he calls for a reform in line with domestic democratic values as well as current international nuclear norms. Most ironic, he believes Iran is imitating Israeli amimut. Cohen concludes with fresh perspectives on Iran, Israel, and the effort toward global disarmament.
The Worth of a Man
by Dave Dravecky Connie NealThe former MLB all-star pitcher, cancer survivor, and author of Comeback &“seeks to inspire men to find their God-given worth and identity&” (Dr. John C. Maxwell, founder, INJOY, Inc.). In Western culture, a man&’s worth so often hinges on his performance, career, and success. For bestselling author Dave Dravecky, worth was once defined by his career as an all-star pitcher in the Major Leagues—until he lost his arm to cancer. In this inspirational book, Dravecky speaks from a place of first-hand familiarity with loss and setbacks. Examining the traditional benchmarks men so often define themselves by—including jobs, successes, struggles, friendships, and families—Dravecky navigates a new path to self-worth based on Christian teachings, faith, and compelling personal experience. &“In his loss, Dave discovered a depth of significance, security, value, and worth he had never known. Now he takes us back to the basics of God&’s word, helping us go beyond who we think we are to become who God says we can be . . . men of character and integrity.&” —Garry J. Oliver, PhD, author of Real Men Have Feelings Too &“Dave takes on the fundamental issues of masculinity that every man worth his salt deals with. It took guts to write this book. It will take some guts to read it. But you will walk away a better man.&” —Steve Farrar, Men&’s Leadership Ministries &“Nobody has more to say to men about manhood than Dave Dravecky. He&’s faced tests and trials, and passed them valiantly—so when he points to the possibilities for any of us, he&’s credible.&” —Jack W. Hayford, senior pastor, Church on the Way
Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life
by Jamie Kern LimaWhat has self-doubt already cost you in your life?Imagine what you&’d do if you FULLY believed in YOU! When you stop doubting your greatness, build unshakable self-worth and embrace who you are, you transform your entire life! WORTHY teaches you how, with simple steps that lead to life-changing results!&“In life, you don&’t soar to the level of your hopes and dreams, you stay stuck at the level of your self-worth. In your business, leadership, relationships, friendships and ambitions, you don&’t rise to what you believe is possible, you fall to what you believe you&’re worthy of. When you build your self-worth, you change your entire life. WORTHY teaches you how. I wrote WORTHY for YOU if you have some self-doubt to destroy and a destiny to fulfill!&” – Jamie Kern LimaAuthor Jamie Kern Lima&’s first, instant New York Times bestselling book, Believe It, captured her journey of going from Denny&’s waitress to billion-dollar entrepreneur by learning to believe in herself. And now her second, much anticipated, upcoming book WORTHY, is the playbook for how YOU can believe in YOU!If you&’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, felt like you don&’t have what it takes…or that who you truly are isn&’t enough, even if you&’re really good at hiding it from the world, WORTHY is for you. If you&’ve been underestimating your talent and gifts, or battle imposter syndrome, WORTHY is for you. If you&’ve been letting fear of failure and rejection hold you back, WORTHY is for you. If you&’ve learned to please others so much that you end up betraying yourself, WORTHY is for you. If you&’re sick and tired of what self-doubt has already cost you in your life, in your goals, in your relationships, and in your hopes and dreams, WORTHY is for you! If you&’re ready to expand your self-love, ignite your self-confidence and wakeup your self-worth, WORTHY is for you!!When you change what you believe you&’re worthy of, you change your entire life.This book is about how to do that. IN WORTHY YOU&’LL LEARN HOW TO… Get Unstuck from the Things Holding You Back Build Unshakable Self-LoveUnlearn the Lies the Lead to Self-DoubtEmbrace The Truths That Wakeup WorthinessStop Dimming Your Light and Doubting Your GreatnessLet Go of Past Mistakes and Restore Self-ConfidenceOvercome Limiting Beliefs and Embody Empowering OnesEliminate Your Fear of Rejection and FailureLearn to Believe You&’re Enough Exactly as You AreTransform the Meaning You Give to Your Own Story and IdentityFollow the Roadmap for Achieving True Fulfillment in LifeAchieve Your Hopes and Dreams by Believing You Are Worthy of ThemEmbrace Who You Truly AreAnd much more...Are you ready to unleash your greatness and believe in the power that is YOU? Are you ready to finally stop believing the lies that you&’re unlovable, unqualified or not (fill in the blank) enough? Are you ready to triumph over the thoughts holding you back, destroy self-doubt and truly know and believe you have what it takes to accomplish your greatest goals and wildest dreams?Imagine...what would you do if you had zero self-doubt and unshakable self-worth? What would you do if you fully believed in YOU? Join Jamie&’s VIP Insider Book Launch team at WorthyBook.com
Worthy of a Miracle: 5 Simple Truths for Believing & Receiving God's Love
by Linda KuharDespite a miraculous recovery from a coma, Christian life coach Linda Kuhar still struggled with a question so many wrestle with: "Am I worthy of God's love?" After prayer brought Linda Kuhar back from the brink of death, she was in demand as a speaker for Bible study groups and other Christian organizations. There was one problem--deep down, Linda didn't believe she recovered because God miraculously healed her. Then one day, a prophetic woman confronted Linda's disbelief--something she had worked hard to hide. In an instant, Linda was forced to face the truth and decide whether she trusted God enough to ask for an even bigger miracle: the faith to believe in the astonishing truth of God's unimaginable love for her.
Worthy of Her Trust: What You Need to Do to Rebuild Sexual Integrity and Win Her Back
by Stephen Arterburn Jason B. MartinkusYou Can Win Her Back Few challenges in life are as difficult as regaining a wife's trust--and few are as ultimately worthwhile. Trust can be rebuilt in your marriage! With patient, loving, self-sacrificing effort, it's possible that one day your wife will risk her heart with you again. And she may even have more respect and love for you than before. In Worthy of Her Trust, Jason Martinkus relates how he repaired his own marriage after revelations of sexual addiction. Along with Stephen Arterburn, Jason offers exercises and tools rooted in counseling principles to help your marriage begin again. This comprehensive guide discusses: · How to be truly and effectively transparent · Combating the "he must not love me" myth and other untruths· What to do about the Internet, office temptations, and travel· Encouragement for wives who wonder if trust can ever be restored · The "five-minute phone call" and other daily trust-building strategies· What meaningful forgiveness and restitution look like· The Amends Matrix--a concrete exercise to admit past wrongs and cast a vision for a faithful futureIncluding insights from Jason's wife, Shelley, Worthy of Her Trust guides you through the process of rebuilding your relationship so it is stronger than ever.
Worthy of Rain
by Elizaveta FehrWhen Genesis, an inquisitive 14 year-old girl, discovers an old, dilapidated Bible in her attic, her curiosity skyrockets as she dives into a new world she has never known. After her mother&’s death, life wasn&’t the same for Genesis and her father, and she has grown up with little exposure to the Christian faith.This captivating novel conveys the story of Genesis&’s journey as she travels through time, reading through famous Bible stories like David and Goliath, Daniel and the lion&’s den, and even overlooked stories, like the tragedy of Masada and the writing on the wall. Genesis alternates between the world in her Bible and life in her small town as she tries to uncover the mystery of Christianity.To add to the chaos, Jace--Genesis&’s old rival--becomes a puzzling distraction when Genesis is forced to partner with him for a school project. The threat of her father&’s disapproval hangs over her head while she attempts to hide her new faith, but questions of the past start to boil to the surface. The closer Jace and Genesis become, the more Genesis begins to realize Jace may not be telling her the whole story.Through Genesis&’s eyes, the people and places in the Bible are brought to life. Worthy of Rain brings a vivid outlook to the classic Bible stories in one girl's quest to uncover the secrets of the past. Will her father's boundless desire to keep her in the shadows triumph over Genesis&’s newfound faith, or will a hidden truth get to her first? Worthy of Rain is a timeless and relatable piece designed as an open door for both the believers and the skeptics, one that will leave you turning every page until the end.
A Worthy Suitor
by Jennifer AlleeGWENDOLYN BANKS NEVER EXPECTED A REAL-LIFE ROBIN HOOD The reluctant socialite feels more at home in the woods surrounding Tuxedo Park than at the vibrant parties hosted within. But when she stumbles upon the town archery instructor in her wooded sanctuary, he quickly makes her reconsider her life of solitude. Accomplished archer Albert Taylor has vowed to make something more of his life than just catering to the Park elite. Falling in love with one of his students isn't part of his plans. But when Albert's accused of a crime, can this budding romance be over before it's truly begun?
Would-Be Mistletoe Wife
by Christine JohnsonMistletoe MatchWorried she might lose her teaching job if funding is cut for her boarding school, widow Louise Smythe must consider marriage. But the only prospective groom in town is lighthouse-keeper Jesse Hammond, and he wants children—something she may never be able to provide. While Jesse waits for the ideal woman to make his wife, though, Louise can’t help but long for something more than his friendship.If he wants to be promoted to head lighthouse keeper, Jesse needs to find a wife suited to his rustic lifestyle. But as he and Louise partner to give the town’s homeless orphans a joyous holiday, he’s drawn to the petite woman. Will the light of Christmas finally inspire them to trust in each other’s hearts?
Would-Be Wilderness Wife
by Regina ScottThe Kidnapped Bride Drew Wallin's youngest brother is determined to see him married-so he kidnaps Drew a prospective bride. Not only is Catherine Stanway beautiful, but she's a nurse who can help their ailing mother. Drew doesn't have time for distractions-he's too busy watching over his fatherless siblings. Yet he's drawn to this woman who carries loss and pain equal to his own. Catherine has traveled West to use her nursing skills to save lives, not to find a husband. She knows if she gives in to Drew's matchmaking family, she'll be risking her already bruised heart. But maybe it's time she takes the ultimate risk to win the groom she didn't know she wanted! Frontier Bachelors: Bold, rugged-and bound to be grooms
Would I? Would You?
by Henry EinspruchPresents seventeen biographical sketches of seventeen people from a variety of Jewish traditions who accepted Jesus Christ as Messiah.
Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial?
by Guy Consolmagno Paul MuellerWitty and thought provoking, two Vatican astronomers shed provocative light on some of the strange places where religion and science meet."Imagine if a Martian showed up, all big ears and big nose like a child's drawing, and he asked to be baptized. How would you react?" - Pope Francis, May, 2014 Pope Francis posed that question - without insisting on an answer! - to provoke deeper reflection about inclusiveness and diversity in the Church. But it's not the first time that question has been asked.Brother Guy Consolmagno and Father Paul Mueller hear questions like that all the time. They're scientists at the Vatican Observatory, the official astronomical research institute of the Catholic Church. In Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial? they explore a variety of questions at the crossroads of faith and reason: How do you reconcile the The Big Bang with Genesis? Was the Star of Bethlehem just a pious religious story or an actual description of astronomical events? What really went down between Galileo and the Catholic Church - and why do the effects of that confrontation still reverberate to this day? Will the Universe come to an end? And... could you really baptize an extraterrestrial?With disarming humor, Brother Guy and Father Paul explore these questions and more over the course of six days of dialogue. Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial will make you laugh, make you think, and make you reflect more deeply on science, faith, and the nature of the universe.From the Hardcover edition.
Would You Believe?
by Tom HarpurA hundred years ago, most people accepted without question what their priest or rabbi or imam taught them about God, but many people today, educated to think for themselves, find that the concepts of God taught by the world's major religions either insult or contradict their intelligence. At the same time they find that having no faith has left a yawning spiritual void in their lives. In Would You Believe?, Tom Harpur deals with the tough questions raised today by real people, such as how to reconcile the presence of evil, pain and suffering with belief in a loving God.The challenge we face, Harpur writes, is not to find a substitute but to rediscover God under the encrustation of ritual and doctrine that the various faiths have built up. We can go beyond all narrow-minded claims of being the only true religion, the only correct interpreter of God, he says, when we understand that all faiths are simply routes towards God that humans have been inspired to create. We can use our intelligence to believe in God, rather than deny it in order to swallow notions devised for a different people and a different time.From the Hardcover edition.
Would You Like Fries With That?: 101 Easy Ways to Share Your Faith
by Mike SilvaImagine sitting in a restaurant enjoying a delicious meal with an unsaved friend. One glance at the ketchup bottle or the salt and pepper shakers brings a smile to your face. Why? Thanks to Would You Like Fries with That?, you know you can use those everyday objects to visually illustrate several important gospel truths. All Christians have some idea of the basic beliefs of Christianity. We know that Jesus Christ is God's Son, who died on the cross, was buried and rose on the third day, to pay for our sins. We know the message, but how do we share it? The secret of success in evangelism comes with understanding. As the old Chinese proverb says, "Tell me and I will forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand." When a person can visualize the message of the gospel, it makes more sense! This book is a resource to help you picture God's offer of salvation when you're talking with others. Nothing is more exciting!
Would You Rather . . . ?: 465 Provocative Questions to Get Teenagers Talking (Quick Questions)
by Doug FieldsAsk away . . . and get your students talking with these provocative questions. Would You Rather . . .? gives you 465 stimulating either-or questions that will get your students talking, laughing, debating, and thinking. Questions like Would You Rather . . . watch a soap opera or make fun of one? . . . be gossiped about or lied to? . . .get shot from a cannon or walk a high wire? . . . make a child cry or kick a puppy? . . . attend the Last Supper or discover Jesus' empty tomb? You can use these questions anywhere, anytime -- when you want to break the ice, spark a discussion, build community, get kids to wrestle with spiritual issues, or just have fun. And the convenient size makes it easy to stick in your pocket or in the glove compartment of your car. This is one resource you'll want for every member of your ministry team!
Would You Rather? Christmas Edition: Laugh-Out-Loud Holiday Game for Kids (Would You Rather?)
by Lindsey DalyFrom the bestselling author of Would You Rather? Made You Think! Edition and Would You Rather? Family Challenge! Edition, a collection of funny, challenging Christmas-themed questions for &“Would You Rather?&”−loving kids.Join Santa and his elves in a super-fun game of &“Would You Rather?&” with Christmas questions that will make you think and laugh out loud. Challenge family and friends to see who has the most holiday spirit! Would You Rather? Christmas Edition features: • 160+ &“Would You Rather?&” questions about Christmas presents, decorations, food, traditions, celebrations, and so much more. (Santa even has his own chapter!) • Creative challenges through either/or scenarios that make kids think outside the box, use their imagination, and pull together facts quickly. • Screen-free holiday time with entertaining and thought-provoking questions that give everybody a break from technology. • Rib-tickling fun that keeps everyone in the Christmas mood with silly questions; kids can make their answers even funnier! • A competitive game for kids who want to outsmart family members and friends with the most creative answer. • A Christmas bonding activity, perfect for family gatherings at holiday meals and on vacation from school. Whether you&’re looking for a stocking stuffer or family fun around the Christmas tree, Would You Rather? Christmas Edition will provide hours of holiday enjoyment.
Would You Rather? Easter Edition: Hop into a Hilarious Springtime Game for Kids (Would You Rather?)
by Lindsey DalyFrom the author of the best-selling &“Would You Rather?&” series, a collection of hilarious Easter-themed questions for kids who love a laughter-filled challenge.Looking for an egg-cellent Easter activity? From chocolate bunnies to egg hunts, these entertaining and thought-provoking Would You Rather? questions will have you and the Easter Bunny hopping for joy!Would You Rather? Easter Edition features: 160+ "Would You Rather?" questions about Easter eggs, bunnies, baskets, chocolate, and so much more.Either/or scenarios that challenge kids to think creatively and speak persuasively.Time away from screens with super-fun tech-free questions.Easter fun with hilarious questions and silly answers.A competitive game for kids and families; who can outsmart whom?Whether you&’re looking for an Easter basket stuffer or family fun at your holiday dinner, Would You Rather? Easter Edition will provide hours of laughter for everybunny!
Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now
by Maya AngelouMaya Angelou, one of the best-loved authors of our time shares the wisdom of a remarkable life in this bestselling spiritual classic. This is Maya Angelou talking from the heart, down to earth and real, but also inspiring. This is a book to be treasured, a book about being in all ways a woman, about living well, about the power of the word, and about the power of spirituality to move and shape your life. Passionate, lively, and lyrical, Maya Angelou&’s latest unforgettable work offers a gem of truth on every page.Maya Angelou speaks out . . . On Faith: &“I'm taken aback when people walk up to me and tell me they are Christians. My first response is the question 'Already?' It seems to me a lifelong endeavor to try to live the life of a Christian. It is in the search itself that one finds ecstasy.&”On Racism: &“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength. We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter their color.&”On Taking Time for Ourselves: &“Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us. A day away acts as a spring tonic. It can dispel rancor, transform indecision, and renew the spirit.&”On Death and Grieving: &“When I sense myself filling with rage at the absence of a beloved, I try as soon as possible to remember that my concerns should be focused on what I can learn from my departed love. What legacy was left which can help me in the art of living a good life?&”On Style: &“Style is as unique and nontransferable and perfectly personal as a fingerprint. It is wise to take the time to develop one's own way of being, increasing those things one does well and eliminating the elements in one's character which can hinder and diminish the good personality.&”
The Wound of Knowledge: Christian Spirituality from the New Testament to St. John of the Cross
by Rowan WilliamsA psychological and intellectual analysis of Christian spirituality.
Wounded
by Claudia Mair BurneyIf a miracle happened to you, wouldn't you tell everyone? What if they thought you were crazy?Poor in health but rich in faith, Gina Merritt--a young, broke, African-American single mother--sits in a pew on Ash Wednesday and has a holy vision. When it fades, her palms are bleeding. Anthony Priest, the junkie sitting beside her, instinctively touches her when she cries out, but Gina flees in shock and pain. A prize-winning journalist before drugs destroyed his career, Anthony is flooded with a sense of well-being and knows he is cured of his addiction. Without understanding why, Anthony follows Gina home to find some answers. Together they search for an answer to this miraculous event and along the way they cross paths with a skeptical evangelical pastor, a gentle Catholic priest, a certifiable religious zealot, and an oversized transvestite drug dealer, all of whom lend their opinion. It's a quest for truth, sanity, and grace . and an unexpected love story.
Wounded: How to Find Wholeness and Inner Healing in Christ
by Terry WardleThis book shows account of transformation from despair to hope through the tender care of Jesus Christ, is an invitation to many who are in need of inner healing.
Wounded Angels: Sometimes the Only Way to Heal a Broken Heart Is Through a Wounded Soul
by Chuck MiceliOn a sweltering Fourth of July, the suicide of fourteen-year-old Maureen Bower&’s father shatters her security. She fears that eventually, everyone she loves will abandon her.With the words, &“May I have this dance,&” Frank Russo introduces himself to Maureen at a roller-skating rink. As he teaches her skate dancing, she falls deeply in love with him. Meanwhile, the country advances further into World War 2. They wait until they feel it is safe to marry only to return from their honeymoon to find Frank&’s draft notice. He leaves for the Pacific and is gone for the next three years. When Frank&’s best friend, Harvey, dies at Normandy, Maureen&’s closest friend, June, walks out of her life too.Frank returns from the war physically and emotionally scarred, Maureen does her best to mend him until their first child&’s birth hastens his recovery. They share rich experiences, develop close friendships, raise two daughters and eventually welcome the young women&’s husbands into their lives. When their children move from Brooklyn, New York to suburban Connecticut, Frank and Maureen follow and become active volunteers at the Bristol Senior Center. On the night of Lieutenant William Calley&’s conviction for the Mai Lai Massacre however, Frank is overcome with guilt. When he confesses his own wartime atrocities to Maureen, she struggles to understand the man she thought she knew.Through fifty-plus years of marriage, Frank becomes the center of Maureen&’s world until his sudden death shatters her faith and rekindles her deep fear of abandonment. She can&’t escape from the crushing loneliness. Friends, family and even ministers are helpless to lift her from her depression. Maureen finds tasks like driving a car, paying the bills, even cleaning the house overwhelming and her smallest joy feels like a betrayal to Frank. As she prepares to end her suffering, help comes from the unlikeliest of sources: Doris Cantrell. Following an abusive childhood, a troubled marriage and estrangement with her own daughter, Doris is as damaged as is Maureen. The mistreatment she inflicts on others evidences her contempt, yet underneath it all, Maureen senses a deep sadness. Doris refuses to sympathize with Maureen&’s plight and persists in exposing her to different experiences and new ways of living. Maureen also refuses to accept that Doris&’s past gave her the right to abuse people in the present or to neglect her bond with her daughter. Both women lack the strength or will to help anyone. Nevertheless, God has His own plan for these wounded angels. The inconsolable widow and the uncontrollable social misfit manage to support and help heal each other. They do this, not despite their brokenness, but because of it. Maureen and Doris become close friends.As Maureen heals, the widower, Larry Kowalski, reenters her life. Through their shared experiences of love and loss, they fall deeply in love. However, will her daughters understand her being with another man? In addition, can Maureen&’s friendship with Doris survive her love for Larry?
Wounded by God's People: Discovering How God's Love Heals Our Hearts
by Anne Graham Lotz'I believe there are many of us who have been wounded by God's people. And I believe there are those of you who have been so wounded, that you have confused God's people with God, and so have run from Him. The purpose of this book is to help you get past your wounds...to move forward into the joy and fellowship of God's presence, claiming the fullness of the blessings He has for you. God loves the wounded. I know.' In her most personal book to date, much loved author Anne Graham Lotz looks at a deeply painful question: what to do when we suffer rejection and hardship at the hands of other believers. Drawing on the story of Hagar, Abraham's mistreated servant, Anne shares the good news of healing and hope, offered by a God who loves us all - especially those on the periphery. An inspiring blend of Old Testament narrative with the author's own experience, this is a book that will show you that, just like Hagar found, 'you can't outrun God'.
Wounded by God’s People: Discovering How God’s Love Heals Our Hearts
by Beth Moore Anne Graham LotzTucked into Abraham’s biography is the story of Hagar, a young Egyptian slave with whom Abraham had a son named Ishmael. Hagar stood out because she was wounded—not physically, but in ways that were as emotionally and spiritually painful as any injury to a body would be. Some wounds were provoked by her own bad behavior, but others were inflicted by those who considered themselves God’s people. Anne Graham Lotz too has been wounded by God’s people. Some wounds have been deeper than others, some have come out of nowhere, and still others have been provoked by her own behavior, but all of the wounds have been deeply painful. They seemed to hurt even more when the wounders wrapped their behavior in a semblance of religion or piety. As Hagar’s story unfolds, you will discover that wounded people often become wounders themselves. While Anne identifies with the wounded, the unpleasant reality is that she also identifies with the wounders, because she has been one, too. She knows from experience that wounding is a cycle that needs to be broken. And by God’s grace, it can be. Many have had similar experiences. And perhaps you are among those who have been so deeply hurt that you have confused God’s imperfect people with God. Maybe you have even run away from God as a result. Or perhaps you have been a wounder to the extent that you are living in a self-imposed exile, believing you are unworthy to be restored to a warm, loving relationship with God or with God’s people. Whatever your hurts may be, Wounded by God’s People helps you to begin a healing journey—one that enables you to reclaim the joy of God’s presence and all the blessings God has for you. God loves the wounded. And the wounders.