Everyday Thoughts is a devotional for thinking Christians, for those who seek to hear and know God in the present through contemplation on scripture and reality. Each essay is preceded by a poem or an inspirational piece. In relation to each essay's subject matter, these poems set the mood for the reader as the simplicity of poetry is combined with insights born from the author's years of study. The intent of the author is that the reader might enjoy the impact of each piece for a prolonged period of time after their initial reading. Everyday Thoughts is for people interested in both contemplation and living their faith in the real world of pain and suffering. The poems and essays reflect the personal struggles of the author to come to terms with the Christian faith in a world larger than the small town of his rearing. A theological education is not necessary for reading Everyday Thoughts. What is necessary is an open heart that is prepared to hear scripture's message from a wounded soul who withstands death with all the resources of theology, imagination, and experience available to him. The conviction of an immovable faith is behind each essay. ""Though the book is called Everyday Thoughts, these are not the thoughts of your everyday person. This book calls the devotional reader into a deeper meditation on scripture, where alternative readings of the text can lead to fresh and insightful discussions on a variety of topics relevant to this generation."" --Gregg Daniel Garner, President/CEO and Founder of Global Outreach Developments International Phillip Michael Garner is a poet and writer who has served as a pastor, a missionary, and a professor. Mike lives with a nonviolent community of missional development workers in Nashville, Tennessee, known under the corporate name of Global Outreach Developments International. He has earned MDiv, MAR, and DMin degrees from Azusa Pacific University. His passion is thinking theologically about everything and enlightening people to the wonders of scripture beyond the boundaries of common thought.