He Speaks in the Silence: Finding Intimacy with God by Learning to Listen

Description

He Speaks in the Silence is the story of Diane Comer's search for the kind of intimacy with God every woman longs for. It is a story of trying to be a good girl, of following the rules, of longing for a satisfaction that eludes us. Disappointed with all Diane had been told was supposed to fulfill her, she begged God in desperation to give her more. And He did. But first He took her through a trial so debilitating it almost destroyed what little faith she had. He let her go deaf. Like so many Christians, Diane thought she'd signed up for the "wonderful plan for your life" and deafness certainly didn't fit her idea of a wonderful life. Yet in her brokenness, God met her and lifted her out of the pit of despair she was digging for herself. He lifted her onto the solid rock of real faith, and taught her to believe He is good even when life goes bad. Using vivid parallels between her deafness and every woman's struggle to hear God, this book reveals how Diane learned to listen to God, finding intimacy with her Savior and the soul deep satisfaction she longs for.

Diane Comer has partnered alongside her husband in planting a now thriving church in Portland, Oregon. Married 35 years, with four grown children and a passel of grandkids, she is a teacher, a writer, and the co-founder of Intentional, a conference for parents whose great hope is to raise passionate Jesus followers. Sharing the story losing her hearing on www.hespeaksinthesilence.com, Diane writes about living in the beautiful brokenness of the belief that God invites every woman into an intimacy that will satisfy the cravings of her soul.

"I've known Diane and her husband Phil for years---since their first date, actually. It was before marriage, before kids, and before her deafness set in. I have had the privilege and joy of watching her story play out and seeing God work in the midst. I have seen her live through the confusion and challenges of her deafness, digging deep into the inevitable questions it brings. She sees it as a story of failure. I see it as a story of triumphant faith. Trusting God in a storm is seldom simple and clean. More often than not, faith is messy, full of bumps and valleys and questions and heartache. And for Diane, her faith and relationship with her Creator has been shrouded in physical silence. I challenge you to read her story and not be moved. I have no doubt that her story will cause you to rethink your own understanding of God." * -Luis Palau, world evangelist and author * "Diane Comer captivates the reader as she describes in profound ways her sudden world of silence. Her prose is poetic. In a riveting manner, she tells of her journey from a normal life that heard chirping birds, falling rain, a baby's coo, and a lover's whisper to one of silence. She went from hearing laughter among her girl- friends, the singing of her husband, and her child calling "Mom' to a world on mute. Few of us ever think about the reality of absolute deafness, but Diane narrates so powerfully that we enter her soundless world. When she cries, we cry. When she doubts, we doubt. When her faith ignites, our faith ignites. Amazingly, along with her, we hear God in the silence. What did God say? He Speaks in the Silence answers that question. Oh, and find out why, when she regained her hearing through the miracle of science, she daily disconnects to reenter her world of silence." * -Emerson and Sarah Eggerichs of Love and Respect Ministries, author of Love and Respect * If you have ever wondered (as most of us do) ... Does God see me? Does he want to talk to me? Is it possible for me to hear him speak? Diane's story, compellingly and beautifully told, gets to the nitty gritty reality of what it means to know God deeply and intimately in all the silence and the noise of life's good days, hard days, and every days. * -Dan and Becky Kimball, author of several books, pastor of Vintage Faith Church, and speaker * "When I think back to my childhood, one memory sticks out over all the noise; every morning I would walk down the stairs and find my mom sitting in her chair, Bible open, pen in hand, eyes focused but distant. She was hearing the one voice that could bypass her deafness. My mom taught me how to listen to God; this book will do the same for you." * -John Mark Comer, pastor for teaching and vision at Bridgetown: A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon and author of Loveology and Garden City * "He Speaks in the Silence is a beautiful read. Diane's unashamed vulnerability instantly draws you in and find yourself lost in her story---one where she freely admits her own insecurities and struggles with trust, faith, and understanding. Her honesty encourages you to seek and value silence, to make space to com- prehend your own journey deeper, and to truly press into the One who speaks in that silence. It's about seeing beauty where there seems to be none, about believing through doubt, about pursuing a wild hope. I highly recommend this book!" * -Sarah A. Dubbeldam, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director, Darling Magazine * "Diane Comer's personal journey from disappointed good girl to deeply spiritual woman of God shows the power of the Spirit's working in the midst of tragic loss when the eyes of faith opened deaf ears to hear the gently powerful voice of the Lord Most High. It will take you deep into intimacy with Him." * -Gerry Breshears, Ph.D., Professor of Theology, Western Seminary, Portland, Oregon *