About the Book
Book: HE IS! Knowing God through Fifty Scriptural Meditations
Author: Mark R. Worden
Genre: Devotional – Personal Growth, Devotional Theology
Release Date: July 27, 2022
HE IS! Knowing God through Fifty Scriptural Meditations is devotional theology that is inspirational in nature, coming right out of the Scriptures. The devotionals are practical and relatable as the author shares from his own stories of life and ministry like a grandpa would share with his grandchildren. Other edifying features at the end of each devotional are the reflection questions, Scripture verses for further reading for personal meditation and spiritual growth, and space for the reader’s own thoughts.
Through a decade-plus of his life, the author took on the challenge of Hebrew 11:6 to seek God purposefully by looking for all the “God is…” statements that he could find in the Bible. He discovered that God clearly reveals who HE IS throughout the history and stories of the Bible. Each chapter is a HE IS statement about God that helps us to know Him better as we meditate on each attribute or work of God.
The author suggests a slow reading of HE IS throughout the year to have time to pause and think about who God is by taking one chapter each week. However, many readers are choosing a daily read and finding the devotionals enlightening as they are exposed to approximately 800 quoted verses of Scripture through the fifty, HE IS meditations. Each chapter can be read independently; however, there is a flow to the order of the chapters with some chapters building upon the preceding ones. After reading the book post-publication in preparation for a speaking engagement, the author realized that there was an unplanned sub-theme of God the Heavenly Father and we, His children through faith, that runs like a thread through the chapters, tying the truths about God together. The crescendo of the book is Chapter 47: “HE IS OUR FATHER.”
The writing of the book HE IS was part of God’s healing and growing process in the author’s life as he encountered faith-challenging trials. He shares his spiritual journey briefly in the Preface of the book. He is thankful for the promise of Philippians 1:6, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Mark R. Worden is a lifelong learner and a student of the Bible. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Bible and Teaching Bible. He has served as youth pastor, missionary, professor at a Bible institute in Manaus, Brazil, and pastor of a local Montana church for six years. Along with being a licensed property manager, he is a self-employed handyman and a fly-fishing guide. Mark also enjoys woodworking in his home shop in Dillon, Montana.
Book Awards:
- American Writing Awards 2022 Finalist in the Religion Category
- Readers Views, Reviewer’s Choice Award 2022-2023, Bronze Medal Winner
- Ames Award Winner 2023, for courageous faith in Devotional – Personal Growth
- Christian Indie Awards, 2023 Finalist – Devotional
More from Mark
God’s Providence in some of the History of HE IS!
Do you read the Acknowledgements and the Preface of books you read? I do! They often give the reader insight into the life of the author and possibly more understanding of his or her message. God’s grace and providence are thick in my life. Read about it from the Preface to the last page of the book, “HE IS!”
We know that God intervenes in our lives when we have a heart to recognize His work.
Providence in my salvation story!
In the Acknowledgement and the Preface of “HE IS!” I mention a friend by name. He was a fellow classmate in High School whom God used to encourage me to think about God. I didn’t really like it at the time because I was running away from God during those days. However, presently, I am eternally grateful for Jim’s life, for God used him to turn my life around to run towards God. Read more of the story in the Preface.
Providence in rewriting chapter 10, HE IS LOVE!
About three years ago, when I was rewriting each chapter of the manuscript, I was stuck on chapter 10, HE IS LOVE. Taking a break from writing to drive out to my hometown of Roseburg, Oregon, I participated in a Memorial Fun Run in honor of Jim who had months earlier passed into eternity. Sunday, I attended a worship service and sat with Jim’s widow by her invitation and heard a Bible message where the messenger defined love. I took notes. With his permission, I used his definition in Chapter 10. God providentially gave me the help I needed to get past some writer’s block.
Providence in the publication date!
Jim’s widow became a precious sister in Christ since his passing into eternity and she posted a comment on Facebook that shocked me into a big smile. I was in awe of God’s timing in the publication date of “HE IS!” She pointed out that the “HE IS!” paperback publication date of July 27, 2022, printed in the actual book, was Jim’s Birthday! I remember at one point in the publication process having to surrender my expectations to the timing of the publication where I said, “Lord, I give up; it’s in your hands!” Then I was surprised how quickly it got published and, unbeknownst to me, perfectly timed on Jim’s Birthday! Simply amazing! Jim had been one of God’s major human instruments in bringing me to faith in Jesus Christ! Seems so fitting! Providential!
Providence to come!
Before my mom passed into eternity to be face-to-face with her Savior in September of 2022, she told me, “Mark, don’t worry about this book you have written; God will get it into the hands of those who need to read it!” What trust and what peace those words brought me. While I am working on letting others know about “HE IS!” I can let go and let God take control. Amen! I look forward and expect to hear some more stories of God’s providence in regard to this book He led and helped me to write. All glory be to God because HE IS!
Providence in 2023!
It was through the publication and my offering of a free PDF of “HE IS!” in an online Christian author group on Facebook that a single, attractive, and fascinating author, by the name of Connie Cook, asked for a copy, saying, “This looks good!” I wondered who would say my book looked good and read her insightful apologetic work, Look Around! Ten Observations that Leads to one Conclusion. We were soon writing emails back and forth to each other, author style, and had a budding friendship started. By the time I had finished reading a self-autobiographical mixed with historical fiction work about Connie and her mother, entitled, Mae and Me, I had totally fallen in love with Connie. But would she choose me in return as I had chosen to lover her for as far as she would love me? Of course, there is a lot more to the story which we plan to tell in a sequel to Connie’s book, Mae and Me entitled, Mark and Me. I won’t leave you hanging too long; we do believe that God is calling us together in marriage to coauthor some books in the future. Yes, we believe in the providence of God and answers to prayer.
Blessings, Mark R. Worden
Interview with the Author
- If you could invite one person to dinner, who would it be and what would you cook?
The Apostle Peter comes to mind as I love fishing. I would certainly serve him fish with plenty of conversation.
- Does writing energize or exhaust you?
When I am full from Bible study, writing energizes me. However, when I am editing and working on finalizing a manuscript, it exhausts me.
- How did writing this book grow you spiritually?
I worked on my book, HE IS! Knowing God through Fifty Scriptural Mediations, most intently after times of great loss and soul searching in my life. The Bible research to know God more intimately was for me. I needed to cling to God during those time for my own sanity, spiritual growth, and peace. The Biblical research and writing and rewriting helped me to know and trust God more. I found that God is there when you need Him, which is every hour as the Hymn reminds us.
- What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I have a profound appreciation for God’s creation and beauty in this fallen natural world that we live in. I am often out on walks in nature and fishing while drifting down a Montana river with a friend or with clients as a parttime fly fishing guide.
- Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.
By the time this blog tour begins for my book, HE IS, I will be married. I met my bride, Connie Cook, through a Facebook author group in January of 2023 when she asked for a free PDF version that I was offering in the group. I fell in love with Connie on the second read. I read her first book, Look Around and thought, I want to get to know this author as a friend. By the time I was reading a second book, I knew she was single. By the time I finished Mae & Me, which was a mix of auto biographical and historical fiction about her mother, I was hooked. Her books are available on Amazon through her author page https://www.amazon.com/stores/Connie-Cook/author/B007PSPG8Q
Connie and I hope to team up to write more books together. We have started a sequel to Mae & Me entitled Mark & Me which will be the story of how God providentially brought us together in a friendship that led to a marriage proposal. She said, “Yes!” God has a new chapter for our lives to write together.
- What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
- Bible
- J.I. Packer, Knowing God
- W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God
- C.S. Lewis – Many
- Favorite quote?
“The purpose of life is to know and be known in a loving relationship with God and others!”
I have heard pastors say this and read this statement or something very close to it many times from various authors. I have adopted it as my own statement on the purpose of life, too.
- When did you start writing?
Preface
In January 2011, I desperately needed the comfort of God in my life—the trials of life and ministry have a way of challenging a person to sink his roots deeper in God for survival. For about six years prior, I had been captivated by Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV; emphasis added), “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Having resigned and stepped down from a pastoral role in a local congregation, I now had time to search the Bible to find out specifically who God says He is. Furthermore, God placed on my heart a desire to write some devotional meditations to encourage others along the path of knowing God better. I soon started posting God is meditations on my blog and sending them out by mail and email. The response grew, and it dawned on me that I was indeed writing a theology book that would be devotional in nature, which someday might be published for God’s glory and the benefit of his church. I wondered, Now that I have started, how do I know when to end? I had peace to set a goal of writing fifty-two devotional meditations—one for every week of the year! I was amazed at how God provided and gave grace for me to write and complete fifty-two chapters on knowing God. The rough draft manuscript was finished by the end of 2012.
There is more in the Preface.
- What is the most difficult part about writing for you?
I suffered from dyslexia in my early years in school until a teacher realized I needed extra help. If it were not for the help and attention of some special ed teachers, I may have never liked to read or go on to college. I am still a slow reader and writing is something at which I have to work really hard. I still am a horrible speller. I consider my publishing a book a miracle. My first year at Umpqua Community College, my English 101 professor would write my sentences on the chalkboard and dissect them for the whole class. Thankfully, he never shamed me. He and I were the only people who knew they were my sentences. It was his way of giving me some extra help because he saw potential in me. I needed lots of help. I still need help and am thankful for editors.
- How do you do research for your books?
A quote from the Appendix of my only published book:
Methodology: In writing the devotional meditations, I did not try to start with an idea about God. I did word and phrase searches within a Bible search program to see what the Bible itself said about who God is. Those searches helped me find the many God is statements, where I read about each quality or work of God in context. With a list of every verse and passage I could find on a particular God is statement, I meditated and wrote a devotional with the goal of letting God’s Word speak for itself about who He is. I incorporated stories from my life as a grandpa would tell to his grandchildren. The Master Teacher, Jesus Christ, is my example in using stories to teach lessons and using common experiences to teach spiritual truth. I have tried to do so in a way that would honor Jesus and only shed a good light on others, but sometimes they reveal our humanity and sinful tendencies, mostly my own. Any reflection on my family, friends, or people who personally know me is done with love and grace. I have a profound appreciation for those who have spoken into my life through the years of my life. I thank God for how he has used each person to influence me. We grow best in community, as we are like iron sharpening iron for the glory of God.
Thank you for letting us get to know you better!
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 13
It’s Mama Safe, December 14
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 15
Lighthouse Academy Blog, December 16 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 17
Texas Book-aholic, December 18
Fiction Book Lover, December 19 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 20
Artistic Nobody, December 21 (Author Interview)
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 21
Cover Lover Book Review, December 22
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 23
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 24 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, December 25 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, December 25
Lily’s Corner, December 26
Giveaway
To celebrate his tour, Mark is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback copy of HE IS! and a signed paperback copy of Look Around: Ten Observations that Leads to One Conclusion by Connie Cook!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/293d3/he-is-celebration-tour-giveaway