Doug Hood, the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach, learned from his friend and mentor, Bryant Kirkland, that effective preaching and writing demands careful listening - listening to the conversations of ordinary people in the community where he pastors. Such conversations reveal the problems and concerns that are uppermost in the minds of the people. In these brief meditations, Dr. Hood addresses what he has heard with compassion, insight and directness. Most importantly, he refrains from offering personal opinions. Always, he invites the reader to listen to God’s Word and the light it shines on the struggles of the present day. … creative, thoughtful, inspirational and uplifting all at the same time. (From the Foreword by William J. Carl III, PhDSenior Pastor, Independent Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AlabamaFormer President, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary) … these devotionals might just change your life … as they are changing mine! (Rev. Dr. Thomas K. Tewell, Executive Director, Macedonian Ministry) … Gathered here are reflections for the faithful and for those who seek more from their walk with Christ. (John Randolph, Attorney, West Palm Beach, Florida) … Insightful, articulate and inspirational, Dr. Hood’s pastor’s heart and active personal faith shine through brightly. (Daniel W. Klein, Irving, Texas, Retired President, Texas Presbyterian Foundation, and now a Church Consultant) W. DOUGLAS HOOD, JR. has been the Senior Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach, Florida since 2012. He holds a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. He was the 2015 Moderator of the Presbytery of Tropical Florida and was a commissioner to his denomination’s General Assembly in 2014 and 2016. Hood’s sermons and articles have appeared in Lectionary Homiletics, Preaching Great Texts, Biblical Preaching Journal, and Preaching: Word & Witness. Doug is married to Grace, has two children - Nathanael and Rachael - and resides in Boynton Beach, Florida. For more information, visit www.firstdelray.com.