Ordinary People, Extraordinary God

The Bible records the sanctifying pilgrimages of some notable characters. • Abraham twice pawned-off his wife Sarah to foreign kings and spent 25 years wandering - before he received his promised son. • Joseph's pride alienated himself from his family, was sold into slavery, then unjustly incarcerated - before he ascended to Pharoah's right hand. • Moses killed an Egyptian, became a fugitive and spent 40 years tending sheep in the desert - before he led the Exodus. • David lied to Ahimelech the priest, was on the lam from Saul and sought Philistine protection - before he received the Davidic Covenant. • Saul (Paul) oversaw Stephen's stoning, persecuted Christ's church and spent years in obscurity - before he became history's most notable missionary. Were these men special? No! They were ordinary, sinful men who knew failure and needed time in God's woodshed. We can relate. After enjoying considerable affluence we spent 20 years living hand-to-mouth. God uses chastened people to accomplish His purposes. Unlike the men described above, we will not be remembered for anything significant - not even a footnote in history. Our common bond with them, however, is the chastening woodshed. There God cultivated in us contentment and a deep satisfaction found in an ever-maturing relationship with Him. We entered the race. We paid our dues. We beheld God's providence and enjoyed His spiritual, emotional and physical provision. As we drew near to Him, He made Himself known to us and through us. It doesn't get any better than that. It is our hope that this book will inspire and challenge you. Above all, it is intended to exalt God, edify those who are already walking with Him, and encourage those who do not yet know Christ to embrace Him and the abundant life He offers. Please pass this book on to someone you love.