When I heard last week that my Bible study "Joseph: Beyond the Coat of Many Colors" had won the Blue Ridge Writers Conference 2012 SELAH award for best Bible study I experienced every imaginable emotion. At first, I was confused. I was on the road coming home from Nebraska when I received an email from a friend congratulating me for the award. I had no idea what she was referring to. I had had limited email for five days and hadn't yet received word.Next, I was shocked and surprised. The Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference is one of the premier writers conferences in the country and honors the best; I was next truly humbled.
But, I must admit that I am also proud of this study, and admittedly, the award. "Joseph" is more than the culmination of years of study and writing; it is the result of the Lord working in my own life since childhood. It is about how I so closely relate to Joseph's life. It is sharing from my heart how the Lord took me from my personal "pit" as a teenager with multiple broken families/marriages, twenty-one step-, half-, and adopted siblings, and many deep hurts to a life of service to Him.This study goes way beyond the Sunday school story you heard as a child. I believe you will see Joseph as you never have before: the lonely little boy ignored by his brothers, yet coddled by his parents. You'll feel his fear in the pit; follow his caravan to Egypt; stand with him on the slave auction block. You'll experience his struggle for sexual purity, go with him to the dungeons of Egypt, rejoice in his rise to power, and weep as he forgives the hurt and betrayal of his brothers. Perhaps more than any other biblical narrative, Joseph’s life is a practical model for every day relationships. This study details each aspect of Joseph’s life and shows us how to relate it to our own temptations and struggles with envy, disappointment, betrayal, purity, power, and forgiveness.
“Joseph” is a blueprint for understanding blended families with
broken and betrayed relationships. It serves as a leadership manual for
churches and businesses; a handbook for employees and employers; a guidebook
for resisting negative peer pressure and instituting moral purity, grace and
forgiveness. Literally, it has something for everyone. It's an eight
week interactive Bible study offering hope, encouragement, and practical
answers to life’s problems. I would be willing to bet that Joseph's story
is not just my story, but yours too.
I hope you will consider this study for your personal use or Sunday School or group Bible study. May the Lord bless you in your own "Joseph life"!
Please leave a comment with your contact info for a chance to win a copy of "Joseph". We'll be drawing a name next Monday.
http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Beyond-Following-Through-Character/dp/0899573339/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1
7 comments:
I'm so proud of this accomplishment, Mary. I can't wait to read it and use it myself. Blessings to you and the family. Bill truly chose wisely by choosing you as his wife!
Congratulations, Mary! Sounds like a great study. Have always loved the life of Joseph and how he is a type of Christ.
Well done, Mary. Look forward to this study.
Congratulations, Mary! May the Lord bless you and use this study to bless many people!
What an accomplishment, Mary! From a pastor and wanna-be writer, I can see how you might struggle with pride yet fell the great satisfaction of producing something the Lord might really use to help others. I pray your study has wide success.
Mary, I am so proud of you and know the LORD Jesus, our "heavenly Joseph", will bless you with much favor and and out pouring of love in each of those emotions! Love and miss you. Tami
Congrats Mary! This book sounds so good. Something I definitely could use in my own personal life. I would love to win a copy of it. I love the story of Joseph. God used him in a mighty way.
Blessings!
sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com
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