Joy in the Wilderness

By Ginger Chapman

This book is a mixture of poems and short devotional essays with recommended scripture readings. It is full of encouragement for people immersed in difficult times. It was written during a years long illness. The author came out of that wilderness, and has gone on to go through many good times and other wildernesses. She has written hundreds of daily devotions on her blog, so watch for more devotional books from her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ginger Chapman
• Release date: Sep 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223744092

Book preview

Joy in the Midst of Wilderness

Copyright © 2005 by Ginger Chapman

All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the prior written permission of the copyright owner, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold, but may be freely shared. You may print this ebook to be able to use as a journal for personal use. Any other reproduction, distribution, or transmission in any form or by any means, including recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, must obtain the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

All Scripture quotes are from the New American Standard Version of the Bible

Second Edition 2023

Edited by Debbie Phillips

Photography by Ginger Chapman

Website: https://ginrich.wordpress.com/

Acknowledgments

I want to express my deepest appreciation to all those who have helped me with this book:  Jamie Buckingham who encouraged me to have it published. Herman Riffle and Gordon Strongitharm who encouraged me to write. Linda Overstreet who encouraged me to write prose with the poems. Cinda and Rundle Smith who encouraged me to keep trying.

I especially want to thank my children: Debbie, Tammy and David, for loving their mother through any circumstances.

My biggest thanks goes to my husband, Richard, who remained faithful and supportive throughout all my moods and circumstances.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the glory of God.  Without His Love and patience there would be no book.  He is faithful and patient with His children.  He consistently reaches down to direct my mind, my emotions and my spirit to Him.  Without His gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus the Christ, there is no reason for life.

Preface

These poems and prose were written at different times during different circumstances in my life.  The type of circumstances I faced is not important.  Each of us must face different circumstances in our lives.  Though the circumstances may differ, the means through them is constant – looking to God as our Source, Provider, Comforter and Director.

I would encourage you to use the contents page as your guide for this book.  Read the poem and prose that speaks to your circumstance of the day.  Look up the scripture verse and read the surrounding verses so it is in context.  Use the prayer as a beginning for your own prayer.  After you read, take time to listen.  Put your thoughts on paper, both your prayer thoughts and the thoughts that come to you after you listen.  God desires your fellowship.  He desires to hear your voice.  He desires for you to hear His voice. 

No matter what circumstance you find yourself facing, there is nothing too difficult for God to guide you through.  Though something may look bad to you, God already had a plan for you.  My God already knew about it and all prayers go with this book.  I pray you will seek to hear His words for you.  I pray you will find His joy and allow it within you.  I pray you will share this joy with each person God sends your way.  May God’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and goodness abound in and through you.

Forward

It has been said that those who would proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ must have lives that match their words.  I have known Ginger Chapman for a short time but I can quickly see that her life matches her writings.  There is a ring of truth in all that she writes whether it is poetry or prose.

Jesus said, The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has the judge; on the last day the word I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has Himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak.  And I know that His commandments eternal life.  When I speak therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me. John 12:48-50

I have read her book, Joy in the Wilderness, with great spiritual profit.  In fact, I have reread several of her chapters because what she writes has such depth of meaning and love.

Ginger and her husband, Richard, have experienced the ups and downs of life.  Like all of us, they have had good days, yes, even great days, and they have had days of suffering and difficulties.  Together with God their good heavenly Father they have faced the challenges of life.  Out of their suffering has come a deeper and stronger joy.

Though I do not know all the circumstance which any one of her writings include, I can feel her urgent and steadfast faith and joy in the Lord.  So many times in life all we can do is hold on to Jesus the Christ.  All that we can do is to endure the suffering.  Through her writings I can hear her say a personal word to me. Don, hold on ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you through the writing o and don’t give up and don’t let anyone rob you of your joy.I hope you will find a quiet place and read what Ginger has written Take your time. Ponder what you read. Reflect on it. Above all, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you through the writing of Ginger. I believe that you will be blessed and that you will come to a fuller joy than you have ever known.

Dr. Donald G. Willis

Livingston Texas

The Wilderness

The wilderness is rugged, I feel so cold and lone.

My eyes look back to Egypt where I felt at home.

But Jesus Lord, my Master had a plan for me,

He kicked me out of Egypt, so He could set me free.

How long must I wander?  Lord, do You hear my groans?

Your fire it is burning; I don’t think I’ll last long.

Yet, my Lord, I trust You. Strengthen my weak faith.

A vessel you will make me when all my bars You break.

Lord, my God, the river, I know it’s down this road.

Take my hands and lead me down this rugged road.

Your crystal goblet make me.

Praise God, I’m free from Sin.

Fill me, Lord, and use me so others may come in.

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Prayer:  Father God, as You lead me up and down the mountains and through the wilderness of spiritual growth, help me to have an open mind, heart and spirit to the lessons You have for me.  Bring me into the oneness Jesus prayed for us to be.  I give You myself. Mold and shape me into Your image through me to all those I meet on my path.

Scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:7-11  The Wilderness

When they first stepped into the wilderness the Hebrew children were a short walk from the Promised Land.  Why did they have to wander for forty years?  The moment we ask Jesus Christ to save us and be Lord of our life we are a short walk from the Promised Land.  Why do we have to wander so long before we can come into a real relationship with Him?

Living in such an intellectual time it seems we should be able to learn all we need from reading the Bible and from the testimonies of other great saints.  Surely we are smart enough not to make the same mistakes others made.

Just as a muscle cannot grow without exercise, our spirit needs exercise to grow.  Walking through life in openness to God will bring about this growth.  We must each take our own walk in spiritual growth.  We cannot know God personally through someone else’s experience.  We must taste and see for ourselves in order for God’s love to become a reality in our life.

This book is a collection of poems and writings intended for the encouragement of the saints who are walking through their wilderness.  Though many of the chapters relate to physical suffering, each one deals with a lesson that each traveler needs to learn sometime during life’s journey to the Promised Land.

I pray that you will reflect on this journey in prayer and commit to God your willingness to walk through the wilderness with Him.  The Hebrew children did enter the Promised Land and you will also.

My Father’s Voice

My Father’s voice is very soft as tenderly He speaks,

Words of love and guidance which keep me from defeat.

I only need to listen to His still small voice.

As He speaks His love to me He gives me a choice.

Sometimes I interrupt Him, my thoughts run to and fro.

Sometimes I just don’t listen,  I’m busy, don’t you know.

Sometimes I speak unceasingly,