I was surprised and honored to receive an invitation to publish a collection of sermons. In assembling this collection of sermons, I realized a lot of my sermons have the same basic theme. Don't be afraid - bloom where you're planted - you've got this. I want to encourage listeners, not simply so they will feel better, but so they will find their way to active participation in God's good works.

Many of my preaching mentors encouraged me to "keep it simple." Bill Neely and Wanda Neely encouraged me to preach without notes, a method which makes the preacher keep to just a few key points. Kermit Dancy told me all sermon topics could be counted on one hand: God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, sin/forgiveness, and the church. David Bartlett challenged everyone in his preaching class to make sure there is Good News in each sermon. Steve Hayner asked me to look for what Christ is doing in the world, and to follow with words and actions.

So many women mentors have encouraged me and bolstered my resolve during almost twenty years of ordained ministry. I am thankful beyond words for Cherrie Henry, Carter Shelley, Susan Fricks, Carol Gregg, Susan Dunlap, and Wanda Neely, among many others.

In these times in which many of us feel stretched thin and stressed out, I hope the message of these sermons will provide encouragement to keep on going. Don't be afraid - bloom where you're planted - you've got this. God has called us to good work. May we respond to that call in faith, love, and hope.