Choosing Love
Choosing Love is an invitation to explore the narratives of some biblical characters and some ordinary women who have been transformed by God's unfailing love. The testimonies are unique, genuine, and vulnerable, demonstrating a divine, sacrificial, limitless love. You will be both summoned and inspired to draw closer to God, grow in this fruit of the Spirit, and develop a passion to receive His love and express it to others. Choosing Love includes small group helps and will make a valuable addition to both church and personal libraries.
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Contributors
Jacqueline Angi-Dobos
Jacqueline Angi-Dobos (nee Rawlinson) has been serving the Lord since her salvation encounter with Him in 1985 while in her third year of university. Her journey has included some exciting and very fulfilling time as a missionary in Spain and in Hungary. Jacqueline has worked at Niagara Christian Collegiate in Fort Erie, ON, as the Director of International Education since 2010. She, her husband and daughter reside in St. Catharines, Ontario, and she serves her home church in the area of missions and prayer.
Crystal Barley
Crystal Barley is the proud Momma of Judah, Isaac and Ezra. She is one of the associate Pastors at Coastal Church in Daphne, AL . She has functioned in church ministry for 14 years. God has used her testimony of healing, forgiveness and Christ centered identity as a platform to preach His gospel across nations. She has a passion to see this generation fully receive Christ, find their voice and like John the Baptist, prepare the way of the Lord's coming!
Heather Bennett-Chamberlain
Heather is a mom to three amazing kids (Sadie, Lucy & Garrison) and has been married for almost twenty years to her wonderful husband, Jesse. She has lived in Grimsby almost her entire life and currently resides in Historic Grimsby Beach. Heather serves on staff at Lakemount Worship Centre assisting the Connections Pastor. In her spare time, Heather loves to get lost in history and fabric. www.facebook.com/heatherbc
Shelly Calcagno
Shelly Calcagno is a freelance writer and producer from the Niagara Region. She studied English Literature at Brock University, and Religious Education at Master's College and Seminary. She followed that with 20 years of pastoral church ministry to children and families. Shelly loves to write, speak, blog and has self-published a children's book, Tini's Tangles. In 2020, she started a pandemic-launched podcast called, A Space for Grace. Shelly loves DIY projects, working the garden and drinking coffee! She is passionate about legacy and bringing ideas to life. Shelly is married and has two awesome young adult children. www.shellycalcagno.com
Sandra J. Courtney
‘Sandy’ Courtney grew up in Caledon East, ON. When she married, she moved to Orangeville, ON where she and her husband Joe raised their two children, Jennifer and Joey who have given them four grandchildren. Sandra loves the outdoors and could challenge the best in a good day of fishing. She now resides in Listowel, ON where she assists Joe with their business, Courtney Auctions. Sandra and Joe serve together in prayer ministry at Crossroads Life Church in Harriston, ON
Laurie Florek
Laurie Florek was employed by Westinghouse, Hamilton until she was married in 1959. She boasts three beautiful children from that union and two that were blended in from a second marriage in 1985. Laurie’s career was in Human Resources and her hobbies have included reading and knitting. She has served in an outstanding manner, for many years, in weekly Prison Ministry through her home church.
Wendy Hagar
Wendy Hagar, Founder and Executive Director of Sew on Fire Ministries, has given this ministry leadership for over 20 years. It is her joy to direct this 100% volunteer international humanitarian organization sending aid to over 100 countries. In 2011 Wendy was the recipient of Burlington’s Citizen of the Year and in 2012, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She has also been honoured with the Paul Harris Community Award by Rotary groups in Waterdown and Burlington. Wendy and her husband, Jeff reside in Ontario. Their two children, Matt and Sarah, have given them six adorable grandjoys. Wendy loves spending time with her family, camping, swimming, baking and doing crafts with her grandchildren. www.sewonfire.com
Jenna Harmon
Jenna lives in the Niagara region of Ontario where she is a Pastor’s wife and stay at home mother of two beautiful boys, Moses and Shepard. She enjoys spending her time working with special needs children, cleaning and organizing her house & online shopping. Jenna is passionate about raising men of character and ministering along side her husband at their local church. www.lakemount.ca
Peggy Kennedy
Rev. Peggy Kennedy, together with her husband, Jack, form the Two Silver Trumpets Ministries. As their name from Numbers 10 indicates, they minister to leaders and across the body of Christ in Canada and internationally. In addition to active pulpit ministry, Peggy is the author of three books, “A is for Apple”, “Hear the Sound” and “Chosen – Conversations of God with His Mighty Warrior” as well as numerous teaching manuals. When Peggy is not on the road, she serves her home church with excellence in ministry eldership, prayer and prophetic encouragement. www.TwoSilverTrumpets.ca
Rachelle Mainse
Rachelle Mainse is an entrepreneur, writer and speaker who resides in Texas. Rachelle’s friendship with God and her heart for preteen girls, led her to develop an exceptional mentorship curriculum, Princess911, specifically for that age group. Her priority interests include family, travel, the dog she doesn’t yet own and inspiring others through her writing and speaking.
@RachelleMainse | www.Princess911.com
Vangie Price
Vangie was born into a busy ministry household in Belleville, Ontario with parents were lovers of Jesus, pioneers and builders. After attending Bible College in her late teens, she married and gave birth to a beautiful son, an amazing daughter and another baby that she will meet in heaven. Following a painful divorce, her life spiraled downwards, and addiction became part of her story. Seventeen years later she was captivated by Jesus and has never looked back. Although she wears professional Addiction and Mental Health hats, Vangie oozes with passion in serving the Lord. She enjoys rich friendships, and her children and grandchildren bring her delight.
Doris Rome
Doris Rome has always had two loves: the Lord and her family. She has joyfully served the Lord in whatever capacity became open to her: Sunday school teacher and superintendent; seniors and shut-ins visitation; hospitality. Doris is best known across Canada as a valued speaker at women’s conventions and conferences and served faithfully as a sectional representative in PAOC women’s ministry. She was a church pianist and band member for 30 years and continues to play at her Senior's Home. Doris was married to her late husband Ken for 58 years and has two children, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, who are the joy of her life.
Sulojana Sam
Sulojana Sam lives in St. Catharines, Ontario where she works full-time for the Government of Canada. She and her husband Jeeva, a retired pastor, also mentor married couples from the brink of breakdown to breakthrough in as little as 10 weeks. Sulojana expresses her passion for helping the less fortunate and evangelism by volunteering at the Niagara Dream Centre. She also started and co-leads a Prayer/Bible Study group at her workplace. Jeeva and Sulojana are parents of three grown children--Priya, Sathiya and Jaya. Sathiya is married to Shaloma and the other two are engaged.
www.thesams.ca
Endorsements
" The heart of the Father is woven for each of us throughout this devotional. I was brought to tears more than once! It both encouraged and challenged me, from the life stories and personal applications to the prayer at the end of each page. Get it, read it, and apply it! "
" It’s one thing to say “God is love” but quite another to live it out! Using biblical and personal heartfelt stories, Ruth and friends inspire and challenge readers to choose to put God’s “amazing, limitless love” into action. “Love brought a message of hope,” and so do these timely devotionals—a hope that we can change the world one small act of love at a time! "
" Ruth Teakle digs deep into our hearts, confronting issues we all grapple with: Can I be honest enough to ask for a miracle? Can God use me above and beyond my limitations? Skillfully drawing from scriptural accounts and personal reflections, Ruth and contributors call us to greater faith. I was informed but all the more blessed. Keep a pen nearby—there’s lots you’ll want to note! "
" This book is biblically sound, encouraging, and inspirational. The author writes as “an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). She invites us to choose love in all situations, for the love of God indwelling us and shared with others will never fail. "