The Applause of Heaven - Max Lucado [2]
God's love for his children is the message of the Bible. And that is the message of this book.
Indulge me as I say thank-you to some dear friends who made this project possible.
First, to Calvin Miller. In 1977, a dear friend gave me a rectangular-shaped book called The Singer and urged me to read it. I did ... several times. I was amazed. Never had I seen such word crafting. Never had I seen such passion. I still have the book on my shelf. It is dog-eared, weatherworn, and coffee stained.
But I will never discard it. For through it, Calvin Miller introduced me to a new caliber of writing-a fruitful hybrid of faith and creativity.
Thank you, Calvin, for what you've meant to thousands of readers over the last two decades. Thank you for sitting patiently until God gave you a fresh way to tell the ancient tale. And thank you for ushering this writer into a new palace of possibilities.
Thanks, also:
To Kip Jordon and Byron Williamson, two dear brothers who helped Word Publishing to be a ministry as well as a business.
To Ernie Owen, a Christian sage with one eye on him and the other on his children. Thanks for the counsel.
To Carol Bartley and Anne Christian Buchanan. Thanks for editing and editing and editing and editing and ... You did a great job. (All my mistakes are our little secret, OK?)
To Mary Stain. Because of your secretarial skills and remarkable flexibility, another manuscript is completed. I'm grateful.
To the rest of the Oak Hills Church staff. What would I do without friends like you? Thank you so much.
To Tim Kimmel and John Trent. One conversation with you guys gives me enough encouragement for a whole month.
To the Oak Hills elders and church. I never dreamed I would have the privilege of serving with such a faithful family. I thank God for what he is doing.
To Dave Moberg, Nancy Guthrie, and David Edmonson, for making me look better than I really do.
To Michael Card, a troubadour of truth whose heart touches mine.
And lastly, two special people.
To my wife, Denalyn. Thank you for making coming home the highlight of my day.
And thanks to you, the reader, for spending your time and money in hopes of seeing Jesus. May he honor the desire of your heart.
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:1-10
Blessed...
CHAPTER 1
SACRED DELIGHT
She has every reason to be bitter. Though talented, she went unrecognized for years. Prestigious opera circles closed their ranks when she tried to enter. American critics ignored her compelling voice. She was repeatedly rejected for parts for which she easily qualified. It was only after she went to Europe and won the hearts of tough-to-please European audiences that stateside opinion leaders acknowledged her talent.
Not only has her professional life been a battle, her personal life has been marked by challenge. She is the mother of two handicapped children, one of whom is severely retarded. Years ago, in order to escape the pace of New York City, she purchased a home on Martha's Vineyard. It burned to the ground two days before she was to move in.
Professional rejection. Personal setbacks. Perfect soil for the seeds of bitterness. A receptive field for the roots of resentment. But in this case, anger found no home.
Her friends