Shining Moments
Visions Of The Holy In Ordinary Lives
John E. Sumwalt, Editor

The Bible is filled with stories of shining moments -- Moses' face shone as he came down from the mountain with the ten commandments; Jesus' face changed and his clothes became dazzling white in a transfiguration witnessed by the disciples; Paul was blinded by a light and heard the voice of Christ on the road to Damascus -- and many modern Christians have had equally life-changing experiences of the Lord's power and presence.

In this third volume of the acclaimed Visions series, 60 contributors share their authentic, intensely personal accounts of holy experiences. Rosmarie Trapp of the Sound of Music family tells of a moment of assurance when "the Lord visited me in a bright, golden light" whose "golden glow brought peace to my soul." Ralph Milton, author of the historical novel Julian's Cell, describes a visitation by his late sister: "We were singing together as we often did as children ... I don't recall ever having a memory or dream as clear and powerful as that one, and it left me with a sense of joy and peace." Karen Steinke recounts the warmth she felt at the moment of her baptism: "I looked up to see the form of Jesus with an overpowering light surrounding him ..."

Whether they relate transforming moments like visions, healings, or visitations by angels, joyous moments like being in the presence of a loved one who has died, or just the simple sense of God's presence while singing in church or sitting in a sunny meadow on a warm spring day, the vignettes in Shining Moments are a testament to the indescribable comfort and peace of an encounter with the divine. And because each story also illustrates a scripture passage, Shining Moments is a valuable preaching resource and an excellent catalyst for small group discussion. But even more, this book provides inspiring and heart-warming reading for personal devotion and spiritual growth.

Praise for other volumes in the Visions series:

This wonderful collection of stories reminds us of a fact our world desperately needs to know -- that God is alive and well and ready to be at work in our daily lives.
J. Ellsworth Kalas
Author of New Testament Stories from the Back Side

Vision Stories provides a breath of fresh air in a culture that often tries to smother even a hint of the mystical. These simple stories tell the profound truth that God is present and involved in the minute and major events of every life.
Reuben P. Job
Author of A Guide to Spiritual Discernment
Former editor, The Upper Room

In Sharing Visions, John Sumwalt connects readers with the power of stories for recognizing and celebrating God's presence in the midst of our daily lives. Through reading and reflecting on these stories, readers are invited into God's ongoing story of creation, redemption, and empowerment.
Carol F. Krau
Director of Christian Formation and Spiritual Leadership
General Board of Discipleship, United Methodist Church

I am rejoicing as I read the testimonies in Sharing Visions and Vision Stories. What an inspiration!
Richard B. Wilke
Co-creator of the Disciple Bible Study series

This dynamic, moving, and deeply authentic collection of true stories will carry readers on a powerful journey of healing and inspiration. Sharing Visions will appeal to Catholic and Protestant alike.
Deacon Eddie Ensley
Author of Visions: The Soul's Path To The Sacred

A noted storyteller, John E. Sumwalt is the pastor of Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The author of CSS' Lectionary Stories series, Sumwalt leads seminars and retreats on sharing and understanding visions. He and his wife Jo Perry-Sumwalt also are the editors of the online service StoryShare.