Endearing Pain

Pain is universal. It comes in all shapes and sizes, but sooner or later it comes to us all. Colleen Peters hopes that what she has learned and written about while living with Multiple Sclerosis for more than a decade will reassure, challenge, and encourage those in pain to see that life can be rich in spite of, and at times because of, pain.

Annotation Pain is universal. It comes in all shapes and sizes, but sooner or later it comes to us all. Colleen Peters hopes that what she has learned and written about while living with Multiple Sclerosis for more than a decade will reassure, challenge, and encourage those in pain to see that life can be rich in spite of, and at times because of, pain. ""Lovely, gentle, and honest, Endearing Pain invites the reader to walk with Colleen as she struggles to make sense not only of her pain and her body's progressive weakening, but also of faith, meaning, life, and love.""--Jamie Howison, Author of God's Mind in That Music; Priest; Saint Benedict's Table, Winnipeg ""I am so glad Colleen has made the effort--excruciating at times, no doubt--to produce this book. And I'm so glad you've picked it up to read."" --Bob Beasley, Vice President of International Ministry, Bible League Canada ""I strongly recommend this book to anyone living with chronic pain or disability, or caring] for someone who fits this description. From reading this book in its various stages, as well as observing Colleen's life first-hand, I am struck by the fact that not only has Colleen been 'refined' by her suffering, but that she truly lives more fully in each moment than I do in a year."" --Bev Rutherford, Family Physician, Victoria, BC ""Peters has chronicled a decade of neuropathic pain due to multiple sclerosis. She has unique insights on its impact on her personality, self-image, family, and spiritual life. Like the psalmist, she expresses fears, disappointments, angst, and ultimately her assurance in God who has accompanied her throughout."" --Allan Ronald, Emeritus Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba ""In Endearing Pain, Peters reminds us that Christians through the centuries have understood something about suffering that our culture grasps only very dimly. Living with ugly things need not be ugly. In God's mysterious ways, they acquire beauty. One of this slim volume's special gifts is the use it makes of insights from other writers, introducing us to an array of them who've thought about the meaning of suffering."" --Harold Jantz, Editor; Journalist Colleen Peters and her husband, Len, have four adult children--two girls and twin boys. Colleen taught in a high school prior to raising a family, and as her children grew she returned to teaching on a part-time basis. Neurological anomalies surfaced in 2004, and after three years she was diagnosed with Progressive Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis, the condition that forced her to quit working outside of the home and with which she continues to live.

Drawing generously from four centuries of Italian, German and French art song, Exploring Art Song Lyrics embraces the finest of the literature and presents the repertoire with unprecedented clarity and detail. Each of the over 750 selections comprises the original poem, a concise English translation, and an IPA transcription which is uniquely designed to match the musical setting. Enunciation and transcription charts are included for each language on a single, easy to read page. A thorough discussion of the method of transcription is provided in the appendix. With its wide-ranging scope of repertoire, and invaluable tools for interpretation and performance, Exploring Art Song Lyrics is an essential resource for the professional singer, voice teacher, and student.

I had found my rock bottom, and instead of pulling me out, the God of the universe met me there in the rubble. What is your response when your life turns upside down? When you lose your job? When you receive a difficult diagnosis? Do you blame God or beg Him for a way out of your suffering? In more than a decade of misdiagnoses and debilitating treatments, Stephanie Tait admits she did plenty of both before hearing the two words that had drastically altered her life: Lyme disease. Yet she has discovered it’s in her pain that Jesus is most present. Through personal stories and biblical examples, you will learn that suffering connects you to God as He meets you in your moment of pain strengthens your community when you allow others to comfort you in your sorrow gives you greater appreciation for life’s goodness as you gain an eternal perspective Even if the healing never comes, there is something sacred in the suffering. It’s from holy rubble that God makes all things new.

Offering an important corrective to a pain-averse culture that celebrates individualism and success, veteran preacher and teacher Matthew Kim encourages pastors to preach on the painful issues their congregations face. Through vulnerability and self-disclosure, pastors can help their congregants share their suffering in community for the purpose of healing and transformation. The book includes stories, shares relevant Scripture texts imparting biblical wisdom, and offers best practices for preaching on specific topics. Each chapter ends with discussion questions and a sample sermon.

This work's chief aim is to restore to readers, performers, and audiences the richness and vitality of Shakespeare's comedies. Richman explores the way in which a reader's relations to Shakespeare's literary texts differ from those of the relations between performers of Shakespeare's works and their audiences. Richman also examines the forms of humor and empathy that Shakespeare's comedies elicit.

Infertility, divorce, domestic violence, eating disorders...all have become part of a day's work for women and men in ministry to women. Yet, most are not prepared for this aspect of ministering to women in real pain over real issues. Designed to give leaders and care givers greater understanding, insights for shepherding, and referral resources, Shepherding Women in Pain is a compilation from contributors who have expertise and experience with women on the given issue. For example Stacey Womack, founder and executive director of Abuse Recovery Ministry & Services, wrote the chapter on domestic violence and Kimberley Davidson, founder of Olive Branch Outreach, authored the chapter discussing eating disorders. The reader will be provided concise, practical, and grace-infused information designed to help women deal constructively with the trauma of their life experiences. This book will serve as a key resource--read and re-read often--to those who serve women in pain.