Paul Luckraft interviews author Rosemary Bamber, whose book ‘In Time with God’ was reviewed on Prophecy Today last year.

It is always fascinating to discover how a book came into being, especially one which God has been blessing. Clearly such books don’t just ‘drop out of heaven’, so how did In Time with God come to be written?

Early Preparations

Rosemary Bamber came from an Anglican home and heritage but it was at an Easter Camp in her early teens that she was born again and baptised in the Spirit. Even as a child her hobby was writing stories and poems, so from an early stage God was preparing her for what he wanted later.

She studied Theology at college without being totally clear what the purpose would be, though writing did feature as a distinct possibility. After a series of short-term jobs, she settled into a permanent post as an English teacher in Adult Education, but never really felt this was satisfying enough to define her life’s work. She decided to seek God’s will further and in 2000 went on retreat to Ashburnham, which was to be a very significant turning point.

A Revelation and a Journey

During a prayer time there, God spoke to her: “You will write books with Hebrew words in.” This was so startling and unexpected - it had to be from God! Hebrew? A totally foreign language to her!

Further revelation came a short while later when a friend of a friend happened to mention evening classes in Hebrew, without knowing anything of Rosemary’s situation. Here was a sure confirmation, and when Rosemary found she could reduce her hours in Adult Education to pursue this, she immediately realised it was time to enrol.

Even at an early stage, God was preparing Rosemary for what he wanted later.

However, learning Hebrew was to prove a struggle. It is not an easy language and at times it was very difficult for Rosemary. But she didn’t give up as God had spoken, and he had further plans along these lines. In 2003 the opportunity arose to volunteer in Israel with CMJ (the Church’s Ministry amongst Jewish people), so Rosemary took a sabbatical and went to live in Israel for the first time.

Having become interested in the Jewish Feasts by this time, Rosemary now had the opportunity to learn more. She served in Jerusalem initially as a CMJ volunteer (2003-4), then at the Garden Tomb (2004-2011). Not only was she able to continue her study of Hebrew in the Land where it is spoken, she could also immerse herself in what the Feasts and Shabbat really mean to those for whom it is a regular part of life.

From Concept to Publication

In 2005, during this period of serving and learning in Israel, she came home for Christmas, and on Boxing Day went for a walk with members of the family. It was on this walk that the Lord intervened again. Rosemary felt a clear sense from God that she was to write the book that was to become In Time with God. She received in her spirit what the format of the book would be like, how to write it and what to study.

On returning to Jerusalem she now had a clear idea of the path she was to take, and found that opportunities to learn and study came her way most easily. Material for the book was readily available and she also kept meeting just the right people to encourage her with this project. The book was now in progress!

Rosemary received in her spirit the idea for the book, how to write it and what to study.

In 2006 she returned to the UK to write the first draft, followed by a second in 2008 and two more in 2010. By 2011 it was ready for others to see and offer their opinions. The main advice was that this kind of book would not find a ready publisher, so she decided to publish, market and sell it herself.

Miraculously, enough financial support came in at exactly the right moment to publish and print the first 500 books. Then CFI and Sozo Ministries put In Time with God on their online bookstores, which was a great help. And so, In Time with God Publications was born.

Waiting on the Lord for Fresh Ideas

At each stage, Rosemary needed to rely on and trust the Lord for help and wisdom. Now she reminds herself that when God spoke to her initially, he had said ‘books’ with Hebrew words in - not just one book! Writing In Time with God has opened up a new career for Rosemary and now she feels more fulfilled as a writer, serving God to the best of her abilities.

Other booklets have followed, as well as an allegory on the Feasts called The White Sheep, which was originally written with children in mind - but adults can benefit too!

More projects will undoubtedly follow as Rosemary continues to wait on God for fresh ideas and the means to bring them to birth. Overall her story is an encouragement to those who, at whatever stage in life, feel restless in what they have been doing so far and long for fresh paths to explore. Take time to be “in time with God” - who knows what may result!

For more information on In Time with God, visit Rosemary’s website www.intimewithgod.com. Read our review here.