Forever Loved: Eve's Story: A Creative Retelling

By Joanna May Chee

Eve. First woman. First to be tempted. First to sin.

But what if there were more to her story than that?

Forever Loved: Eve’s Story is the story of Father and daughter, as told by Eve. It is a story of preciousness and beauty, of tender love and grace. Through Eve, God reveals his Father heart of love for you, his treasured daughter. He whispers to you now, and calls you closer.

Includes:

My Story: The author’s personal story of encountering God as Father.

Eve's Story: A beautifully creative retelling of the Bible story of Eve.

Your Story: Encouragement and prayers to take you deeper into God’s presence.

Experience Eve’s story anew. Discover just how loved you are!

Reviews:

'Love it! I recommend this book to anyone wanting a new understanding and a fresh touch of God the Father's love.' Daphne Godwin, Ffald Y Brenin, Wales, Place of ‘The Grace Outpouring’

'This book will draw you into a deep longing for intimacy with Father God. I was very touched by the depth and richness of relationship between Eve and Papa.' Grace Hee, Chair of The Women's Commission, National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, Malaysia

'I love how, while holding to biblical truth, Joanna reveals fresh insight into how our loving Father relates to his children—especially his daughters—in our good and our bad moments.' Alison Eckleben, Senior Pastor, Every Nation Church, London

' … beautifully written. I would say it’s Papa-written. I started to read it in McDonald’s this morning, and couldn’t stop. The end of Eve’s story is exceptionally powerful; I began trying not to weep too openly.' Dr Bill Rigden, Founding Asia Director, World Horizons

'It’s a great joy for me to read the result of Joanna’s encounter with her heavenly Daddy after receiving Bethel Sozo ministry. In Forever Loved: Eve’s Story, Joanna retells Eve’s life through this new revelation of who Father God is.' Ros Dunlop, Bethel Sozo Team, Bath City Church

'Wow! I was really impacted by this book. It’s not just for women. I think every man serious about his relationship with God should read this, not just to understand the women in his life better, but to have a deeper revelation of God's nature. I'm very very excited to get as many people as possible reading this.' Greg Albrecht, Pastor, Every Nation Church, Slough

'Just read … in tears … so awesome. What a Father we have! Can't wait to recommend it to lots of people.' Rebecca Brownridge, Women's Leader, Wales

' … amazing insight into Eve's life. A beautiful story—the language used is incredible. The love of Father, and the delight he has for Eve, even after she sins, is lovely.' Jill Charman, Life Group Leader, Crown Church, London

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heartfelt Publications
• Release date: Oct 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9781999847111

Book preview

Acknowledgements

Hello!

Thank you for picking up Forever Loved: Eve’s Story. It’s been my dream for years to write a book. I’m thrilled you now hold it in your hands! I pray it blesses you deeply.

I have a gift for you! I’d love to give you my online video course: Knowing God: Going Deeper.

This 3-day course is for anyone wanting a closer relationship with God, and includes:

Short videos in which I share my own stories of encountering God (and pray for you to encounter him too).

Bible studies exploring God’s amazing love, his incredible goodness, and hearing God’s voice.

Practical resources to help you meet with God in a fresh way.

I had a lot of fun creating this course. God touched me with laughter and tears. I pray he touches you too!

Visit

JoannaMayChee.com/deeper

to get the Knowing God: Going Deeper course for free.

With love,

Joanna xx

PS. Enjoy the book! I begin by sharing something of my own story, and how this book came to be.

You saw me before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out

before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.

They cannot be numbered!

Psalm 139:16-17

Introduction

My Story

‘Who wrote this?’ my teacher demanded, anger and disbelief filling his voice. My friend looked around, then turned her eyes on me.

‘Joanna,’ she said.

I was nine years old. I loved school and especially my new teacher, Mr Stanwell. He was the first male teacher I’d ever had, and he was lots of fun. That morning we had free time in class, and I was making a folded paper-thingy – my daughter tells me it’s called a chatterbox – you know, the origami-style folded paper with flaps, where you ask someone to choose a colour, then a number, and open and close the flaps accordingly, till you end up with a witty comment like ‘You stink!’ or ‘You love Tommy Biggs!’ Lots of amusement for nine-year-old girls! I’d written something in every space but one, and was stuck for another idea.

‘What shall I write?’ I asked my friends. Lara came up with an idea.

‘— —!’ she suggested.

I wrote it down. It was a phrase I’d never heard before. I was a good shy Christian girl with no idea it was one of the most offensive things you could ever say to someone.

We had fun playing with my folded chatterbox. A friend asked if she could do it on our teacher. ‘Of course!’ I replied.

What are the chances?

One-in-eight, actually.

Mr Stanwell chose a colour: open – close – open – close – open – close – open. Mr Stanwell chose a number: open – close – open – close – open. Mr Stanwell chose a flap. My friend opened it up, and read out loud, ‘— —!’

Mr Stanwell said nothing more about it in class that morning. At lunch time, he called me in from the playground. I remember standing awkwardly with him in the school corridor as he launched into his diatribe: ‘I don’t care if you use that kind of language at home! I don’t care if you use that kind of language on the street! But don’t you ever use that kind of language in my classroom! Do you understand?’ All I could do was give a small nod as he dismissed me back into the playground.

I didn’t tell anyone what had happened.

Over the following months, Mr Stanwell organised lots of fun projects and activities for our class. He appointed students to positions of responsibility – class monitors, library helpers, and playground helpers. I longed to be chosen for something special. My friends were chosen. But Mr Stanwell did not choose me. It hurt.

The years passed. I grew. I forgot. I didn’t think about it again.

Thirty years later, I am lying on my bed, eyes closed, thinking about God. In my mind I see the galaxies stretching into the distance. God is out there somewhere, far away in the darkness.

It’s not like I don’t know God. I do. I’ve had amazing encounters