In life we come to understand that pain is not our greatest enemy and pleasure is not our greatest friend. C.S. Lewis identified pain as the megaphone God uses to rouse a deaf world: "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains."

From the pleasure and pain of his own experiences, Reverend Dustin Elder puts pen to paper to offer daily doses of hope-spoonsful of encouragement, morsels of manna-to nourish and strengthen each day. Every entry drips comfort, and every message soothes pain. As cool water to a thirsty soul, these devotions offer refreshing news from a distant country. They are "words in season" served as "apples of gold on settings of silver."

Reverend Elder writes with the heart of a pastor, skillfully and insightfully applying great truths of Scripture to everyday living. He writes as he speaks-hurt to hurt, and heart to heart-rejoicing with those who rejoice, and mourning with those who mourn. Journeying through the year with this wounded healer will enable you to see new mercies every morning and find sufficient grace for every need.

Dustin Elder is a great gift to me personally, to our church, and to the Body of Christ. I commend this wonderful devotional to you, confident that in each unopened tomorrow God will speak and God will lead.

Mark L. Williams, D.Min, D.D.