Sold into slavery to pay for his father's foolishly wasteful spending, Onesimus finds life as a slave especially hard. His memories of his own treatment of slaves compare badly to the treatment he receives at the hands of his Christian master, Philemon. But when he is falsely accused of theft and cannot prove his innocence,he can't believe his punishment will be any less than what he would have meted out in his own household. Filled with fear, he steals a purse of money and runs away, planning to leave Greece and lose himself in the crowded streets of Rome. On the way, he hears stories of Paul, who survived the bite of an adder but insists he is only a man, not a god.When Onesimus finally meets Paul, he finds himself attracted not only to the man, but to the God he serves. After studying with Paul a while,Onesimus goes back to Philemon to "make his paths straight." Adventures and miracles along the way abound.Will Philemon accept him back or sell him? Will his fellow-slaves welcome him? What of the "girl he left behind?" Is there happiness in store for Onesimus or will sorrow be his lot? Joyce was born in Lansing, Michigan one cold February midnight, the sister to four elder siblings. As the youngest child she grew to learn to "hang tough" during the rocky times of life. People sometimes see her as aggressive and outspoken but she uses those characteristics to speak up for those who have no voice. This tenacity of will, her love for words, and her hope in Jesus brought her to the news industry. It's also helped keep her marriage to her beloved ministerial husband alive for more than 44 years. Joyce is retired from TriStates Public Radio WIUM/WIUW of Macomb, Illinois and has spent many years working as a volunteer with the Salvation Army. Joyce now resides in Cleveland, TN. where she is currently studying for licensure in Clinical Mental Health at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary.
