I Took You
The Making of a Shepherd
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
“We have gathered today to honor our esteemed colleague.”
“In recognition of your twenty years of faithful service at Western Seminary we present this token of our heartfelt appreciation for your ministry of teaching, pastoral care to women and contributing to the academic and personal development of a generation of students who will forever be in your debt as their teacher, mentor, and friend.
Peter exhorted the elders of the church to
“Shepherd the flock of God among you”
(I Peter 5:2) NASB
You have graciously fulfilled this ministry and have modeled the shepherding gift for your students at Western Seminary.
With love and gratitude,
Your Faculty Colleagues.
Dr. Beverly Hislop, Professor of Pastoral Care to Women”
Would you please come forward to receive your award?
Who? That is my name. What? Am I dreaming? I must be.
How could I ever get here? I never ever imagined this.
Ordinary me? Cannot be!
A famer’s daughter? No way.
My family moved from the Indiana farm to ten acres in the country of central Florida. My DNA said fingers in the dirt, always. Loved it. That is until a poisonous snake showed up. I learned to chop snakes when they visited, and then ask what kind. All while attending grades one through twelve in a small public school in the country.
Life in town was an unknown. People looked at me funny. I did not realize at the time that I was poor, and I dressed that way. An introvert rarely steps forward to speak. She gathers and stores away inherent messages from others.
You are not enough.
You are worthless, despicable, ugly, unlovable.
You must meet our expectations.
We don’t want you. In fact, we would be better off without you!
I believed all of these.
“Bev, stay on the couch. Don’t cause work for us. Be quiet.”
I never had a choice.
Or did I?
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Just like many of us, Bev Hislop often wondered why she was not like others she saw through the cracks of her life, often feeling just less-than-ordinary. It was not until she reached the middle of her life that Bev discovered the lies she believed about herself and realized the amazing impact of embracing the truths of being one of God’s dearly loved.
In a candid memoir, Hislop shares insight into her personal experiences as she slowly overcame her obstacles and began peeking through the cracks to embrace the powerful realization that she could rely on God’s Holy Spirit to take her on an extraordinary journey to not only grow herself, but also influence others to do the same. Beginning with a childhood where she was an introvert who rarely stepped forward to speak and believed she was not enough, Hislop takes others on an inspiring walk through her life journey as she slowly emerged from an impoverished existence to ultimately learn to love herself, realize forgiveness and grace, and attain personal and professional fulfillment.
I Took You is the inspirational life story of a servant of God as she relied on His love and grace to carry her on an incredible journey from less-than-ordinary to an extraordinary purpose.
About the Author
Bev Hislop (D. Min., Gordon-Cornwell Theological Seminary) has served as Professor of Pastoral Care for Women and the Executive Director of the Women’s Center for Ministry at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. She also taught at Western’s San Jose and Sacramento campuses, served on the board of Network of Women in Leadership, and was the former host of the weekly radio program, Western Connection for Women. This is her third book.