Synopsis "lessons from a dog guide"
Dee Brauninger has a way with words that makes one's heart sing and be open to learn and hear more. Gentle phrases leap out and make one think and wrestle with God and one's self. (from the introduction) Margaret Slater, Inclusive Ministry Coordinator Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ In these meditations on the love and trust of the relationship between guide dog and person, readers find themselves learning to love and to trust in other important ways. Brauninger speaks from experience, yet with care and respect for the reader's own journey and conclusions about life. Mary Avidano, Pastor Albion United Church of Christ Albion, Nebraska Brauninger has a gift for writing words that are truly inspired and inspiring. Her work with guide dogs has given her a unique insight into spiritual life, and a very understandable way of presenting God's message. Judy Campbell, Director of Training Leader Dogs for the Blind Rochester, Michigan Theses superbly crafted meditations, focusing on messages of hope and the reality of God's presence, introduce insights that speak to the heart. The meditations bear reading several times, allowing one to savor the words and explore the meanings for one's own life. Martha D. Walker, Counselor and Christian Educator Pottstown, Pennsylvania Using her own experiences with leader dogs as a metaphor for our dependence upon a caring God, Brauninger creatively weaves together personal stories, fresh insights into biblical passages, and implications for people in the pews. Dosia Carlson, Pastor Emeritus Church of the Beatitudes Phoenix, Arizona These messages are a real treasure! Told in a setting that includes a dog guide named Treasure, the stories help relate our faith to our own daily situations. Treasure helps us gain some insight and understanding into both our faith and our life. Bob Loffer, Associate Conference Minister Nebraska Conference, United Church of Christ The images of our faith strengthen our spiritual growth. Dee Brauninger weaves the attributes of the divine so well as she captures the person with a disability living in unity with a dog, or is it with God? David Denham, Consultant United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries Dallas A. Brauninger is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and full-time writer who has served churches in Colorado and Nebraska. She has been honored by her denomination for outstanding ministry to persons with disabilities and their families, and she is the editor of That All May Worship And Serve, the United Church of Christ's national disabilities ministry newsletter. A cum laude graduate of Albion College, Brauninger received her Master of Divinity degree and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. Among Brauninger's many other CSS titles are Preaching The Miracles and Preaching The Parables.
