As always, I wish first to thank my best friend, God. I hope one day that everyone can have a friendship with God.

Next, I acknowledge and thank my wonderful life partner, Nancy, to whom this book is dedicated¹. When I think of Nancy, my words of gratitude² seem feeble next to her deeds, and I feel stuck with not being able to find a way to express how really extraordinary she is. This much I know. My work would not have been possible without her.

Then, I wish to acknowledge Robert S. Friedman, publisher at Hampton Roads Publishing Company, for his courage in first placing this material before the public in 1995, and in pub-lishing all volumes of the CWG trilogy. His decision to accept a manuscript that was rejected by four other publishers has changed the lives of millions.

And I can’t let the moment of this last installment³ in the CWG trilogy pass without acknowledging the extraordinary contribution to its publication made by Jonathan Friedman, whose clarity of vision, intensity⁴ of purpose, depth of spiritual understanding, endless well of enthusiasm, and monumental gift of creativity is in large measure the reason Conversations with God made its way to bookshelves when it did, how it did. It was Jonathan Friedman who recognized the enormity of this message and its importance, predicting that it would be read by millions, foreseeing that it would become a classic of spiritual literature. It was his determination which produced the timing⁵ and design of CWG, and his unwavering dedication⁶ which had much to do with the effectiveness of its initial distribution. All lovers of CWG are forever indebted to Jonathan, as am I.

I wish to thank Matthew Friedman also, for his tireless work on this project from the beginning. The value of his co-creative efforts in design and production cannot be overstated.

Finally, I want to acknowledge some of the authors and teachers whose work has so altered the philosophical⁷ and spiri-tual landscape of America and the world, and who inspire me daily with their commitment to telling a larger truth regardless of the pressures and personal complications that such a deci-sion creates.

点击收听单词发音  

1 dedicated
adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的
参考例句：
He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。 His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

2 gratitude
adj.感激，感谢
参考例句：
I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。 She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。

3 installment
n.(instalment)分期付款；(连载的)一期
参考例句：
I shall soon pay the last installment of my debt.不久我将偿付我的最后一期债款。 He likes to buy things on the installment plan.他喜欢用分期付款法购买货物。

4 intensity
n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度
参考例句：
I didn't realize the intensity of people's feelings on this issue.我没有意识到这一问题能引起群情激奋。 The strike is growing in intensity.罢工日益加剧。

5 timing
n.时间安排，时间选择
参考例句：
The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。 The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

6 dedication
n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞
参考例句：
We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。 Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。

7 philosophical
adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的
参考例句：
The teacher couldn't answer the philosophical problem.老师不能解答这个哲学问题。 She is very philosophical about her bad luck.她对自己的不幸看得很开。

8 moody
adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的
参考例句：
He relapsed into a moody silence.他又重新陷于忧郁的沉默中。 I'd never marry that girl.She's so moody.我决不会和那女孩结婚的。她太易怒了。

9 appreciation
n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨
参考例句：
I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。 I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

10 admiration
n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕
参考例句：
He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。 We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。

11 embark
vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机
参考例句：
He is about to embark on a new business venture.他就要开始新的商业冒险活动。 Many people embark for Europe at New York harbor.许多人在纽约港乘船去欧洲。

12 testimony
n.证词；见证，证明
参考例句：
The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。 He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

13 brilliance
n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智
参考例句：
I was totally amazed by the brilliance of her paintings.她的绘画才能令我惊歎不已。 The gorgeous costume added to the brilliance of the dance.华丽的服装使舞蹈更加光彩夺目。