Trusting God's People...Again

Forward

 By Debbie Taylor Williams

Two years before this book went to print, Blake asked me to contribute journal entries to his work; explaining he wanted personal, contemporary illustrations to lie alongside his Biblical examples. I hesitated. I faltered. I said no. However, as Blake continued to cast his vision for Trusting God's People Again and as I continued to pray, I felt God's hand guiding me to be a part of Blake's vision. It has been an adventure ever since!

  The following journal entries that “Mavis” has contributed are fiction. They are a compilation of many stories I have heard as I travel and speak. They are not any one story, nor are they meant to point to any one church, person, or situation. Rather, they are works of fiction that might illustrate issues facing the church today.

  Because Blake wanted me to project the feelings of Christians who have been hurt by the church and by other Christians, Mavis is brutally honest. She shares her hurts, points blame at others, and finally sees the sin of her own ways through God's eyes.

  Some people who have read portions of my excerpts or have heard about the characters have asked whom the characters represent, assuming they represent real people. That is not the case. As stated, the journal entries are works of fiction. The characters do not represent any individual, alive or deceased. Instead, the scene is one many churches face. Mavis's hurt stems from a divided worship search team on which she serves. Although we would like to think that all committees in churches are unified and blessed, if you have served the church, you know that is not always the case.

It is my prayer that as you read Blake's wise Biblical truths, you will gain from his insights. He is a grand storyteller of Biblical history. It is also my prayer that as you travel with Mavis through her experience that you will not judge her or the members of her team too harshly. Perhaps in seeing their raw emotions and their personal journeys, you will relate in some way to a hurt you have experienced. Perhaps you will allow God to heal you of that hurt and you will once again trust God's people and re-engage in the body to which Christ calls you to live and serve.

A special thank you to Blake, a man whom I have grown to admire and respect. His deep walk with God and transparency will undoubtedly bless you as it has me. And a heart-felt thank you to Keith, the love of my life and my best friend for 32 years, who has prayed for me and wiped away my tears when I have been hurt by the church.