0Are you feeling discouraged in your efforts to reflect Christ each day in our broken world? Does it feel lonely? Too difficult? Too overwhelming? The saints can help you. Especially the ones whose stories Chris Armstrong tells here, because he's chosen them for the ways they've inspired him and deepened his own faith. A professor of church history, Armstrong provides rich portraits of ten people from the past who

• translated the gospel for their own times
• broke down barriers
• ministered out of the brokenness we all share
• knew what it feels like to live on the margins
• believed in the power of stories to bring transformation through Christ

Knowing their stories buoys our own, and observing their steps gives us lived-out action to go with our theology. Perhaps more important, seeing their ordinariness--their foibles, sins and mistakes--helps us realize that no matter where we come from, no matter how inadequate we think we are, God can change each of us by his grace and use us for his glory. So settle in, and spend some time getting to know these brothers and sisters in Christ who struggled and failed and fought and lived faithfully in their day. Together, Armstrong and ten saints from the past will encourage you in your struggles and help you live faithfully in the present.