 |
Gray has constructed a poetic work focusing upon each of the books of the Holy Bible. Her collection begins with an introductory “Ode to Scripture,” concentrating on and celebrating an overall view of the Bible’s message and purpose—“All Scripture is God-breathed…”—followed by a tribute to Genesis, in which nothing became something, and God is named as the Originator, Supervisor, Provider, and Judge of His creation. Moving through the Old Testament, Gray extols the strengths of Moses, the leadership of Joshua, and the noble character of Ruth. For the book of Proverbs, she pays homage to “Lady Wisdom,” retells the story of Jonah and the whale as lively drama, and extracts sage advice and prophecy from such lesser-known biblical authors as Zephaniah, Haggai, and Malachi.
Moving to the New Testament, Gray shares special advice from those who offered accounts of the life of Jesus, illustrating how his words were heard and his deeds reported throughout the earthy station where he chose to appear. Her volume concludes in Revelation, reminding readers of God’s “unending beginning,” the gift that Jesus came to renew and sustain.
Gray, who has composed other works in the same vein as this offering, is a self-described homemaker, poem-maker, and peacemaker. Her writing reveals her as a talented wordsmith and a faithful, serious student and follower of the essential messages contained in the Holy Bible. She clearly identifies with some of its personages whose contributions and life journeys comprise it, sweetly declaring, for example, that “Still a girl at heart, I get starry-eyed over Esther.” Gray’s creations are designed to be read and discussed among spiritually minded people like herself, who will derive from them a sense of the ways ancient spiritual lore can affect and bless humankind in these new and different days.