Additional information
by Linda Singletary (Author)
This book is dedicated to the memory of my dear friend, Betty Ridings, who went home to be with the Lord on August 16, 2004. It was at Betty's home in Juarez, Mexico, last May, while my husband was preaching a revival meeting in the Riding's church, that I began working on these lessons. Betty knew firsthand what the trials of life are all about. Most of her adult life, she had suffered from lupus. In her early twenties, after only seven weeks of marriage, her first husband was taken home to heaven. A short time later she met John Ridings, who had lost his wife and newborn baby in the mountains of Peru, where they were serving the Lord as missionaries. Soon after John and Betty were married they returned to Peru, but were forced to come home because Betty needed medical attention that was not available in Peru. For nearly thirty years they faithfully served the Lord starting several churches in Waterbury, Connecticut, and Juarez, Mexico. They raised three children who are also serving the Lord. Rebecca & her husband, John Gilbreath, are missionaries in Juarez, and Melissa & her husband, Joe Marshall, are missionaries in Australia. I've always thought of Betty as a "prodder." Her illness slowed her down, but it never stopped her. She faithfully "prodded" along, and though she often had a lot of pain she never seemed to complain. I think that when the Lord welcomed her to heaven on August 16, He must have said, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." I will miss Betty, but her steadfastness has inspired me to just keep "prodding" when the trials of life seem to overwhelm me.
Author Biography
Linda Singletary grew up in a pastor's home in Ohio. After graduating from college in 1959, she moved to Florida to teach in a Christian school. There she met and married Bert Singletary, who was also a pastor. In 1966, the Singletarys moved with their two small sons, Mark and Stephen, to New Mexico, where the Lord gave them a daughter, Susanna. Bert pastored Manzano Baptist Church in Albuquerque, for almost thirthy-six years. During those years, Linda taught ladies' Bible studies in her church, and then began writing lesson books for ladies. In 2002, Bert retired from the pastorate, but has continued to minister by preaching in churches, and conducting a daily radio program which airs on the Navajo reservation. Linda has continued her ministry to ladies by speaking at retreats, banquets, and other events and through her writing. Her favorite scripture is Psalms 34:1-4, "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
