I Am His: He Is My Rose of Sharon: The Relationship Between Jesus and His Bride, the Church

By Deborah Malone Ralph

I Am His: He Is My Rose of Sharon describes Jesus as the Rose of Sharon mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. This book also tells the story of the Rose of Sharon as the church, the Bride of Christ, and her close relationship with Jesus, the Savior of the World.

Jesus is also revealed as the Bridegroom, who has given his life for his Bride because of his uncompromising love for her. As his bride learns more about him as a Prophet, Savior, and Son of God, her love grows stronger for Him. This love story reveals to the reader the process of growth and maturation of the bride as she learns who she is in her relationship to Jesus. This bride is now able to grow in confidence in discovering her purpose on earth.

As the reader is drawn to the title and content of this written work, he or she will desire to know Jesus on a personal level because the love of Jesus is so sweet to ones soul and spirit. The author shares the beauty and colorful splendor of the traditional American rose. However, the Rose of Sharon, as a flower, has another name and a special beauty and fragrance. The reader will begin a journey of discovery, love, and power as they read this account of the Rose of Sharon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503551947

Deborah Malone Ralph

Deborah Ralph has been a faithful member of the Abundant Life Church of Christ (ALCC) for more than twenty years where she has served in personal ministry, drama/dance ministry, His Grace, and VIEW Ministry. She was first featured as the Bible character “Deborah,” judge, counselor, and prophetess in the drama ministry at ALCC. Judges 4–5 (KJV) The Lord has also anointed her life to actually serve the body of Christ in the roles of counselor and prophetess. Deborah Malone Ralph has served as the CEO and cofounder of a private agency that opened Sister’s Place Group Home in 2002, located in Glen Allen, Virginia, for at-risk adolescent females in need of a stable home environment. She is also a licensed clinical social worker and has been a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers and the American Association of Christian Counselors. She is known within the United States and internationally for her Christian-based private practice entitled Rose of Sharon Counseling Services and Rose of Sharon Designs established in 1993. This ministry provides counseling services based on biblical principles, especially in the treatment of grief, trauma, ADHD, and depression among children, adolescents, adults, and families. Mrs. Ralph has over forty years of experience in the provision of counseling, consultation, and training to parents, teachers, churches, health professionals, and court services staff. She is known as an educator in the social sciences field. Ms. Ralph has served on the faculty of Virginia Union University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University, Fordham University, and the College of New Rochelle in New York. Deborah Malone Ralph was born in Manhattan, New York, and currently resides in Richmond, Virginia. Her heart’s desire is to share the message of salvation with the lost and bring healing and restoration to the Body of Christ so that the Bride can fulfill her purpose.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by Deborah Malone Ralph.

4100 East Parham Road

Richmond, VA 23228

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015905024

ISBN:      Hardcover        978-1-5035-5193-0

                Softcover          978-1-5035-5195-4

                eBook              978-1-5035-5194-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by the Zondervan Corporation.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblical]

Scripture quotations marked AMP are from the Amplified Bible, Old Testament. Copyright © 1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified Bible, New Testament Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All scripture quotations have been taken from the King James (KJV), New International Version (NIV), and/or Amplified Version (AMP) of the Holy Bible.

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Rev. date: 04/27/2015

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Contents

Note of Appreciation

Prayer of Salvation

Introduction: A Message to the Body of Christ

Chapter 1: Who Is the Rose of Sharon?

Chapter 2: Christ, the Rose of Sharon

Chapter 3: The Church, the Rose of Sharon

Chapter 4: A Sweet Fragrance to God

Chapter 5: I Am the Rose of Sharon

Chapter 6: The Desert Shall Rejoice and Blossom as the Rose

Chapter 7: The Fertile Plain of Sharon

Chapter 8: Counseling: A Christian Approach The Character of Christ

Chapter 9: Case Studies

Chapter 10: Blooming of Flowers and Beauties of Nature

Chapter 11: Rose of Sharon Counseling Services History I Shall Go Where He Leads Me

Chapter 12: He Is My Rose of Sharon

About the Author

To my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He has healed me from despair, grief, and sorrow.

The Lord has anointed me to heal others from depression, despair, grief, and sorrow through His Word and by His Spirit.

This book is

also dedicated to the memory of my dear departed sister,

Sharon Antoinette Malone Kudinger, MD

The spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.

—Isaiah 61:1–4 (KJV)

Note of Appreciation

I would like to express special thanks and appreciation to my pastors: Apostle Steve I. Foreman and Lady Olivia Foreman of Abundant Life Church of Christ, located in Henrico County, Virginia. I have been fed the Word of God and received counseling and prayer, but most of all, I have been given a gift of