Girl on a Swing

by Kennedy, Nancy

• ISBN13: 9781590527290
• ISBN10: 1590527291
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2006-10-16
• Publisher: Multnomah

Summary

God Delights in You! Imagine a girl on a swing: leaning backward and easily pumping her legs back and forth, closing her eyes while the wind blows through her hair. She is safe, she is secure, she is free and forgiven. Perhaps you find yourself thinking,I want to feel loved and safe and secure. I want to feel free. I want to turn my face toward heaven and experience God's smile. Did you know that girl can be you? Because God's lovea love not based upon your performance, but on Christ'sproclaims the truth that you are His and He isgladHe chose you. This freedom in Christ is meant to become a part of you, something you relish every day. It's like learning how to swing: it can't ever be unlearned. So climb on...your time to soar has arrived! Who Is that Girl on a Swing? She's free. She's safe. She's secure. She's forgiven. She's happy. She's a child of God. And so are you. With warm understanding, refreshing humor, and striking biblical honesty, Nancy Kennedy reflects on the ways women often keep themselves from enjoying the freedom that's already theirs. Because not only do you belong to God, He isgladHe chose you. Not only does He love you unconditionally, Helikesyou! And not only does He lavish you with grace, Hesmilesupon you. Once you learn how to swing, you can't un-learn it. Once you know true freedom in Christ, you can't un-know it. It's yours for good (and it's a lot fun). So climb on...it's time to soar! Endorsements "Ahhh. Nancy 's words let me be my imperfect self and still know that there is no wind strong enough to release me from my Father's grip." Karon Phillips Goodman author ofAnother Fine Mess, Lord!and the Woman's Guide series "Nancy Kenndy writes with amazing humor, heart, and insight.Girl on a Swingsoars!" Heather Kopp author ofRoar: A Christian Family Guide to the Chronicles of Narnia Story Behind the Book The Story Behind the Book "Girl on a Swingcame from a greeting card image where a young girl is soaring on a swing. She's free and at peace, with herself and her surroundings. As I studied that image I came to realize that the girl is mebecause in Christ I am free and at rest. God smiles on His own, and I am at peace. But my experience as a speaker at women's retreats has shown me that many women have difficulty believing that for themselves. This book will help them grasp the truth." Nancy Kennedy

Author Biography

Nancy Kennedy has been awarded first place in Excellence in Religion Writing several times from the Florida Press Club over the past fourteen years that she’s been on staff at her local daily newspaper, the Citrus County Chronicle . A member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Nancy is a sought-after speaker for women’s conferences and retreats and has appeared on radio programs including Family Life Today and Renewing the Heart. She lives in Inverness, Florida, with her husband, Barry.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	11	(4)
Girl on a Swing
Introduction	15	(10)
Taking Off My Liar Face
When you're gripped by guilt and shame	25	(16)
Deeply Flawed, Dearly Loved
When you doubt God's acceptance of you	41	(14)
Eternal Umbilicus
When you're controlled by fear	55	(16)
Whirling Dervishly
When you're frantic and frenzied	71	(16)
The Exquisite Pain of Desire
When you long for more	87	(14)
Praying Through the Seaweed
When your life goes awry	101	(16)
Ghosts in the Closet
When you're haunted by unforgiveness	117	(16)
Losing Weight, the Jesus Show, and a Twirly White Skirt
When you're seduced by self	133	(16)
Footwashings and a Resurrection
When your heart is cold	149	(14)
It's Okay to Be *F.I.N.E.
(*Fouled-up, Insecure, Neurotic, and Exhausted) When you're free to tell the truth	163	(16)
When Pigs Fly
When you've glimpsed hope	179	(14)
Song of the God-Struck
When you've grasped grace	193