This artistic work is a collaborative creation, birthed by a diverse group of Christian women, who love God, and have chosen to echo the Scriptures in various literary modalities. Their varied life experiences transcend race, creed, and color, as there is a selection inside for everyone who would dare to enjoy the rhythmic heartbeats of these anointed writers. Although they are many, they are one. In the pages of this book you will find their spiritual and life experiences expressed in timely devotionals, plays, essays, poems and prayers to empower you to mature in grace and to sustain your faith. Bishop Horace E. Hockett, pastor of Born Again Church and Christian Outreach Ministries, (Nashville, TN) and founder of the Kingdom Builders Network, whom God has gifted as a Master Illustrator, Playwright and Director of numerous plays he has written over the years, describes this talented group of authors saying, "Serving a multifaceted Heavenly Father, who can't be explained or captured in one specific genre, God has a creative dimension that speaks to us and through us; revealing His love and divine will. This work is another expression of His diverse creative handiwork." The authors' hearts are united by one common thread: the love they share for Jesus Christ. As His servants, handmaidens, and daughters, they have developed a strong unifying bond of sisterhood. They teach spiritual maturity and the maintenance of victory in life is the result of becoming intimate with God, via His Word, prayer, and the cultivation of a sincere relationship with the Holy Spirit. They hope that your relationship with the Heavenly Father is deepened as you experience the vibratory tones of His Word, the messages of wisdom conveyed by the unique writing styles and voices each author presents. The art of writing any form of literature is incomplete, if it is not compiled and shared with others who love the gifts of authors, who have diligently crafted their work with compassion in the midst of life experiences and spiced it with imagination. Rhythms of Life is a book that can serve as a devotional for daily inspirational reading and during special occasions when an encouraging piece is deemed appropriate. The authors entitled their work, Rhythms of Life, desiring that you, the readers, may also experience the rhythms of life being expressed through both their individual and collective voices. Listen with your heart as you read, and get in step where you may have "missed a beat." Dr. Lawrence James, the Professor of Communications and Theatre at Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN says, "I have known Karynthia and some of the other authors for many years, and I always associate her with the Scripture verse-which I heard her declare so many times-Psalm 107:20: "He sent word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions" (the latter portion is often translated "delivered from the pit, or the pit where they were trapped, or from the grave") KJV. Knowing that Jesus miraculously heals the flesh, but more importantly the soul, the anthems of truth expressed by these writers in Rhythms of Life do just that! They heal. As a professor of Performance of Literature, I know the worth of literary works that speak well. As a director of theatrical productions (secular and Christian worship arts) for many years, I know literature that "performs" to the mind, heart, and soul. As a former university academic administrator, I know the value of people who are committed to serving others. Most importantly, as a very imperfect soul, being saved by grace, I know when my spirit is stirred and fed. Such are the capacity and reach of the literary works and writers here. In sincerity and with excitement you are encouraged to read, contemplate, and meditate. You will laugh, cry and be inspired through this myriad and thoughtful collection. It will provide a uniquely insightful path through the rhythms of life on this our Christian journey.
About the Author: Karynthia, an ordained minister and free-lance writer for greater than twenty-five years, is an author of three devotional books. She has written this book in collaboration with several other authors of The Spirit Lead Writers Network, an organization encouraging others to answer the call to publish God's Word. The other authors with entries in this book are: Catisha Asbury, Wanda Clay, Renata Hayes-Dillard, Brenda Flowers, Denise Owens, Christina Reeves, Angelia Slater, Lalita R. Smith, and Marva R. Southall. Each author has a heart for the ministry of teaching and evangelism. By compiling the entries of this book, Karynthia encouraged the writers to convey the Scriptures in various literary genres; expressing love, mercy, strength, and fortitude during good and what may appear to be bad times. Karynthia advocates the arts in worship as a vehicle that stimulates mankind's hunger for intimacy with God. Her vision encompasses combining her experiences as a licensed family healthcare provider in medicine with her ministerial training to help her readers understand wholeness as the fullness of God's salvation. Her passion is teaching how the presence of God's love is experienced by spoken and written words of truth, skillfully coordinated with relevance for godly living today for optimal health spiritually, mentally and physically. In a nutshell her passion for disciple-making, and guiding others to spiritual maturity is by teaching the application of "Quiet Time." It is her hope that the submissions in this book will enlighten and clarify the position of authority and power available to Christians, as God's principles in Scripture are implemented daily. She is a wife of thirty-three years, mother of three children and two granddaughters.