Bücher von John Allen Lewis

I have always loved the church as it has played a significant role in my life and my family's life. I am what I am today because the church poured into me, opportunities, spiritual advisement, and amazing experiences. I will always be thankful for those pastors and church leaders who helped to grow and to nurture my spiritual formation. The church was a major centerpiece for our small community wherein enduring relationships were formed, young minds were edified, and were shaped into loving, caring, and morally upright Christians. Unfortunately, however, there are those whose narrative reads differently. Sadly, there are too many narratives of pastors, church leaders, and laity alike who have been exposed to devastating experiences within the body of Christ, creating painful hurt and disappointment. Church hurt is one of the most painful hurts that a person can experience. I urgently say that the pendulum swings in both directions when it comes to church hurt. It flows upwardly toward church leaders as well as flows downwardly to church parishioners. Neither is beneficial to the body of Christ. Church hurt is an issue that must never be swept under the rug, expecting it to go away. The health of the body of Christ is at stake, therefore, those who are in leadership and followership positions must take a stand against this awful sin. Healing must be sought for those who have been injured by and or through the very institution that represents our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Happily, healing can take place and people's faith can be renewed. Will you be one of the ones who will help them through the healing process? May God speak to your heart to be a healer and not one to contribute to this terrible, and sinful act. Who will help them to Heal?

It is easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged because of everything that is happening around us. We are living in a fast pace world that subjects us to a hurried pace. As a result, some have become hopeless and are looking for some encouragement. This book is intended to serve as a means of hope through biblical narratives for those seeking it. Through God's Holy Word, we find assured hope and God's promises to help us navigate in this fast pace world. So, slow down long enough to grab a word of encouragement on the go. You will be glad that you did. God has a word for you!

We are the handiwork of God, and He has invested a great deal into everyone, of us. We owe it to God and to ourselves to become the best that we possibly can become. However, this is more easily said than done. There is a plethora of challenges that daily flood our lives, pulling us into several directions, all at the same time. Often, the voice of God is crowded out, and as such, we do not hear or adhere to his directives for our lives. It is easy to become side-tracked in such a rapidly paced society. Having the proper balance within our lives is important to our overall success, and in accomplishing those things which have been assigned to our, hands. It is through our relationship with God, the reading of Holy Scriptures, and his wonderful guidance that we are able to experience his grace upon our lives. This is essentially important, because many may have had experiences within their lives, thus, initiating intrusive and enduring consequences. Unfortunately, the self-centeredness and ineptness of others could potentially leave people, metaphorically speaking, crippled in spirit, mind, and body. It is the purpose of this book through inspirational quotes and messages to encourage those who read it to perhaps: recalibrate, discover, and or re-discover themselves for who they are and whom God has called them to be. This book of inspirational quotes is a call to alertness, to be careful, not falling prey to those who seek to restrict your ability to rise above their self- prescribed perceptions of who you are. God did not call us into competition with each other but into relationship with Him. You are not any less than anyone else. You may not have the same gifts, and skill set, but this is okay. Seek to discover your gifts. Then, with purpose in each step: develop, and nurture them. Thus, walking in your purpose!