From fbe7970d95175a27bb8014b80fb41c57cdd9b812 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Chris Cowley Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:31:11 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] first commit --- .gitignore | 2 ++ Makefile | 2 ++ book.adoc | 83 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ chapter01.adoc | 13 ++++++++ preface.adoc | 19 ++++++++++++ 5 files changed, 119 insertions(+) create mode 100644 .gitignore create mode 100644 Makefile create mode 100644 book.adoc create mode 100644 chapter01.adoc create mode 100644 preface.adoc diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ff2c368 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitignore @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +*.pdf +*.epub diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile new file mode 100644 index 0000000..afbd41f --- /dev/null +++ b/Makefile @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +epub: + @docker run -it -v "${PWD}:/documents/:Z" hggwil/asciidoc asciidoctor-epub3 -D output book.adoc diff --git a/book.adoc b/book.adoc new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f46f7b8 --- /dev/null +++ b/book.adoc @@ -0,0 +1,83 @@ += Faithfulness in Ordinary Days +Author Name +v1.0, {docdate} +:doctype: book +:toc: left +:toclevels: 2 +:sectanchors: +:sectlinks: +:sectnums: +:source-highlighter: rouge +:icons: font +:imagesdir: images + +include::preface.adoc[] + +include::chapter01.adoc[] + + +== Chapter 2: The Commitment + +=== My "Ruth Moment" + +Just as Ruth declared her commitment to Naomi and to God, describe your moment of commitment or recommitment to following Christ. + +=== Leaving the Familiar + +What did you have to leave behind? What fears did you face? + +== Chapter 3: Daily Faithfulness + +=== Small Choices, Big Impact + +Describe the ordinary ways you've tried to live out your faith: + +* Prayer life +* Relationships +* Work/service +* Difficult seasons + +=== Learning to Trust + +How has God shown His faithfulness in the mundane moments? + +== Chapter 4: Unexpected Blessings + +=== Doors That Opened + +Like Ruth meeting Boaz in the field, what unexpected blessings came through your faithfulness? + +=== God's Provision + +Share specific examples of how God provided or worked in your life. + +== Chapter 5: The Ongoing Journey + +=== Still Learning + +What are you still learning about faith and faithfulness? + +=== Encouragement for Others + +What would you tell someone just starting their journey of faith? + +[appendix] +== Reflection Questions + +For readers who want to explore their own stories: + +. What does faithfulness in ordinary moments look like in your life? +. Where do you see God working through your daily choices? +. What would your "Ruth declaration" sound like? + +[colophon] +== About the Author + +[Brief bio and contact information] + +[bibliography] +== References + +* Scripture references +* Books that influenced your journey +* Other testimonies that encouraged you diff --git a/chapter01.adoc b/chapter01.adoc new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cbcea10 --- /dev/null +++ b/chapter01.adoc @@ -0,0 +1,13 @@ +[chris-before] +== Chris Before + +I grew up in a pretty conservative, middle-class home. We went to the local Methodist church (Saint Andrew's Worcester) on a Sunday, then went to my Grandparents for lunch. When I was 6, we moved down near Gatwick Airport. At this point we never joined a new church, but that never troubled any of us. We just continued with our standard, middle-class lives. + +My mum always had ideas that I should go to really good (also know as private) school. After looking at a few, my parents sent me to Great Walstead School, near Haywards Heath. As an aside, I am absolutely convinced this school was at least a major inspiration for Lindbury Court School in the Jennings novels. + +Initially I went to Great Walstead as a day pupil - it was only 15 minutes away after all. I started there the summer of the 1987 storm that destroyed a huge number of trees in South-East England. I did four terms as a day pupil before my standard middle-class lifestyle was shaken to its core. + +The following Summer, when I was 10 years old, we went on holiday to Greece and that was effectively the end of my parents marriage. As a result I returned to Great Walstead that September as a boarder. + +Great Walstead was (and is) an amazing school that stands out from others in many ways. It is settled in the heart of "The Weald" in West Sussex amongst a couple of hundred acres of woodland. This woodland played an integral part of our school life. Yes results and grades mattered, but they tell only a small part of the story of life at Walstead. + diff --git a/preface.adoc b/preface.adoc new file mode 100644 index 0000000..530db7f --- /dev/null +++ b/preface.adoc @@ -0,0 +1,19 @@ +[preface] +== Preface + +I have heard a lot of testimonies in my nearly 40 years as a Christian. Some have been inspiring, but many have just annoyed me. Why? In many cases, we try and arrange what God has done. We don't need to do that! Is God (who created the Universe) not big enough to look after himself? + +There is basic pattern that all testimonies follow: + +- I was a monster +- I did stupid things +- God did stuff that removed the consequences of my action +- LOOK AT ME! I AM A DOCTOR/PASTOR/AUTHOR!!!!! +- My life now runs on rails + +When I read the bible, I do not see this pattern in people's lives. When I read about Paul's life I see a man who was a monster. This man had a profounded encounter with Jesus, and turned around. + +He was then beaten, insulted, worked his hands to the bone, shipwrecked, imprisoned and was ultimately (tradition says) beheaded in Rome. Along the way he had no fixed abode, no security, suffered chronic health issues (his thorn in the flesh) and who knows what else. + +We also see people who lived relatively unremarkable lives, such as Ruth, but were faithful to God in everyday things. +I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that the vast majority of people have a story more like Ruth than Paul or Elijah.