News and Invitation: “To Thee, O Lord, I call…”

This post will be shorter and more personal. I would like to invite you into my current experience and planning.

In my last post I mentioned my unpublished Bible study entitled A Traveler’s Guide through Suffering and Joy. Since then, after several years of exploring publishing options, I have finally committed to working with a particular publisher, so the book should be  available sometime next year.

I set up a new writing station in the window nook facing the back yard. Note that the fabric on the table matches my book’s travel theme.

Over the next three months, I plan to rework the study, deleting the “workbook” part, and creating a solid, nonfiction work, closer to a textbook, but hopefully appealing enough so that it doesn’t read like a textbook. I think I’ll end each chapter with a page of study prompt questions, so I could still label this a Bible study book. I’m not sure yet.

Years ago, I presented some of my research or book material on this blog. It has been so long ago. I wonder if any of you remember. Life has gotten harder for most people since I first started my research ten years ago on this theme of suffering and joy — as viewed through the lenses of Scripture.

A Traveler’s Guide through Suffering and Joy. Subtitle? I’ve written pages of ideas for sub-titles.

I have many decisions to make, so I’d like to ask you three questions.

1. Will you pray for the development of this book? That God will guide me very specifically? That He will provide the stamina and health I consistently need?  (My health is daily so uncertain.)
2. Will you pray for the readers of this book? That they will find, obtain, read, and be impacted by the book? That through the Holy Spirit, readers would “grow in grace and knowledge” and be further Christ-formed?
3. Will you pray as led, asking God to show you how to pray for this project?

I will follow up with updates. I don’t know when the book will be finished and then published, but I hope to have the material revised and reworked by February, and then I’ll follow the next steps in the process….

I would love for you to respond to me below as a few of you do, or by email, as others of you do, and then some friends simply call me. Whatever, I’d like to know that you are praying for this project. We can pray for each other.

My book writing station for A Traveler’s Guide through Suffering and Joy.

On my desk above you see a photo of my father, Marion Thomas. He inspires me. Then you see a photo of Louis and Ruth Ann Mann. Louis was the first principal I taught under after I graduated from college. This was at a Christian high school in Scotts Valley, California. Louis and Ruth Ann also inspire me.

And you inspire me. Why? Because (purpose) we live to love God and one another — in specific ways. There are so many things I cannot do to love you, but writing is my love language.

I’ll close with the theme verse I’ve chosen for this book writing project.

Psalm 28:7

“The Lord is My strength and my shield.

My heart trusts in Him, and

He helps me.

Therefore, my heart joys, and

With my song [book]

I shall thank Him.

I am amazed that the Sovereign God of the universe is my helper. This grace-servant-spirit stuns me.

I understand Peter’s reaction to Jesus when He washed His disciple’s feet. Peter recoiled at the idea of allowing Jesus to be his servant, washing his dirty feet. However, Jesus did not expect Peter to understand then. “You shall understand hereafter,” Christ responded to Peter, and told him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Then Peter was totally ready. Read John chapter 13.

We understand Peter’s surprise. We also have Peter’s example from which to learn. It is proper to be totally amazed and humbled at God’s offer to serve us. But in our brokenness, and after 2000 years of history since Christ’s earthly walk, we recognize how totally needy we are. Well, I do. Don’t you? That’s why we pray. That’s why we trust the work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection and His life…. We cannot save ourselves. So, we call Jesus our Wonderful Savior.

My work, right now, is to write this book — while taking care of my husband and house, giving attention to family and friends, and fulfilling some obligations and acts of service as I can. He is my strength and shield.

You have work to do as well, so I encourage you to grasp this verse and the prayer of this entire psalm as a rich prayer of David’s that can be your prayer too. Personalize Psalm 28 and pray it.

“To Thee, O Lord, I call….”