With the other prophets, the “second time” meant additional prophetic utterances they were to deliver.

What warmth and love radiates from these words and illustrations, helping every reader who encounters this book to develop a personal relationship with a loving God. If your beliefs, and therefore your actions, have become divided, gather them back together as you commit to God and His Word. Later that night, as I sat in the hearthroom amid the glow of flickering flames and the hazy halo of Christmas lights, I tore open the envelope with trembling fingers and read the precious missive. Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.Now the house is nearly 100 years old, so all of the shutoffs are in the basement and are not well marked. I am the complete expression of a loving Father (1 John 4:16), and it’s my deepest desire to lavish more love and grace on you (1 John 3:1). To show you how to live this life of love I’ve given you Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), laws that honor me and are good and pleasing to you (Psalm 119).

Like the Adams, the Churchills were each other’s intellectual and expressive equals, frequently declaring their love in unguarded, written messages. As Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, the life we now live is the life of Christ in us as we keep our faith in Him. Much more than a mere memory verse, each carefully chosen promise will be God’s very own personal words of love, encouragement, and hope. I know the number of the hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30), and I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139:3).

But you don’t need to remain afraid of me; if you rely on me, then my perfect love will remove all of your fear (1 John 4:18).