Alan Desland, who feels himself to be an ordinary and unremarkable man, falls passionately in love with the beautiful but mysterious German stenographer, Karin, who is sent to assist him during a business trip to Denmark. To his astounded joy, she returns his love - but their courtship and marriage will shake his life to its very foundations and test him to the limits of sanity.

The Girl in the Swing is a true story of the power of dreams and the perseverance it takes to realize them. Born into the depths of the Dust Bowl, Mozelle was a miracle baby who seemed more like a curse to her overburdened father—for the man who struggled daily against the killing sands, one more mouth to feed was one too many. But from that humble and inauspicious beginning came a girl who could dream beyond the horizon of her desolate world. Hunger, poverty, drought, dust storms and tornadoes would slash across childhood. The greatest loss imaginable would propel her into adulthood. But nothing would ever obscure her vision of an Eden all her own, and nothing would deny her a love that was Heaven-sent.

Did you experience God Today? I wonder how many of us could honestly say “Yes” to this profound question. Within the pages of this text, “The Girl on the Swing,” you will find a story of a “Defeated Pam.” A Pam who possessed a tormented and shattered mind. A Pam who, if not for her Savior, “Jesus” would have gone insane. This story is just the beginning of my spiritual journey. But there will be more to come. The main message within my story is how God speaks to us in our darkest hours, if only we are willing to open our hearts and listen. Victory and Transformation is not immediate upon salvation, but rather a process. But we must be willing. For where there is a will, there is a Way. And Jesus is the Way! So, here is my story! If it leads at least one person to experience God in a transformative way, then this book will have fulfilled its ultimate purpose.

God Delights in You! Imagine a girl on a swing: leaning backward and easily pumping her legs back and forth, closing her eyes while the wind blows through her hair. She is safe, she is secure, she is free and forgiven. Perhaps you find yourself thinking, I want to feel loved and safe and secure. I want to feel free. I want to turn my face toward heaven and experience God’s smile . Did you know that girl can be you? Because God’s love–a love not based upon your performance, but on Christ’s–proclaims the truth that you are His and He is glad He chose you. This freedom in Christ is meant to become a part of you, something you relish every day. It’s like learning how to swing: it can’t ever be unlearned. So climb on…your time to soar has arrived! Who Is that Girl on a Swing? She’s free. She’s safe. She’s secure. She’s forgiven. She’s happy. She’s a child of God. And so are you. With warm understanding, refreshing humor, and striking biblical honesty, Nancy Kennedy reflects on the ways women often keep themselves from enjoying the freedom that’s already theirs. Because not only do you belong to God, He is glad He chose you. Not only does He love you unconditionally, He likes you! And not only does He lavish you with grace, He smiles upon you. Once you learn how to swing, you can’t un-learn it. Once you know true freedom in Christ, you can’t un-know it. It’s yours for good (and it’s a lot fun). So climb on…it’s time to soar! Endorsements “Ahhh. Nancy ’s words let me be my imperfect self and still know that there is no wind strong enough to release me from my Father’s grip.” Karon Phillips Goodman author of Another Fine Mess, Lord! and the Woman’s Guide series “Nancy Kenndy writes with amazing humor, heart, and insight. Girl on a Swing soars!” Heather Kopp author of Roar: A Christian Family Guide to the Chronicles of Narnia Story Behind the Book The Story Behind the Book “Girl on a Swing came from a greeting card image where a young girl is soaring on a swing. She’s free and at peace, with herself and her surroundings. As I studied that image I came to realize that the girl is me–because in Christ I am free and at rest. God smiles on His own, and I am at peace. But my experience as a speaker at women’s retreats has shown me that many women have difficulty believing that for themselves. This book will help them grasp the truth.” –Nancy Kennedy

Over two decades this art historical tour de force has consistently proved the classic introduction to humanity's artistic heritage. From our paleolithic past to our digitised present, every continent and culture is covered in an articulate and well-balanced discussion. In this Seventh Edition, the text has been revised to embrace developments in archaeology and art historical research, while the renowned contemporary art historian Michael Archer has greatly expanded the discussion of the past twenty years, providing a new perspective on the latest developments. The insight, elegance and fluency that the authors bring to their text are complemented by 1458 superb illustrations, half of which are now in colour. These images, together with the numerous maps and architectural plans, have been chosen to represent the most significant chronological, regional and individual styles of artistic expression.