Tag: God

A Night to Remember  – Danny and Wanda Pelfrey

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This story is the second installment featuring a brother – a former police officer and investigator – and a sister – who is a law school student – getting involved with investigating crimes and finding the culprits.

You will find the authors’ synopsis on Goodreads.

The “God” Element

The characters provide some advice, rely on God for their lives, pray often, and are open to being guided. They portray the epitome of the Christian life; be kind, do good, help others, make a positive difference, and guide and protect.

MY LIKES

A tertiary character`s redemption. Among all the tragedies occurring in this story, his storyline is the one that touched me the most. Buster is his name.

Another of my likes is seeing the main characters’ lives evolve and watching them seek guidance from God rather than hastily react to their circumstances. They reflect and seek ways to grow rather than make a mess and hurt others. They are unafraid to explore what does not feel right and wait on the Lord.

Many characters have positive arcs; they changed their ways for the better and now live better lives, extending the blessing they received to others in the community. Many of them are humble people, and that’s very noticeable.

MY DISLIKES

It is not a great dislike, but it is noticeable. The main characters don’t sin, barely make any mistakes, and have a word of wisdom ready for anyone who crosses their paths. Even their struggles, if any, are short-lived. I understand this is a mystery novel, and psychological arcs are not a primary focus, but they seem to live in a shallow way despite their reliance on God. I like characters with depth and arcs that are manifested, not “hinted at.” Only Riley does it more to my taste; other characters do not seem “this serious” about their lives. That’s just my personal preference.

If you want to read this novel for the mystery genre, you will be pretty happy. I did not find hints pointing me to the culprit; they were too subtle for me, and it was fine with me.

Takeaways

This novel is as good as the first novel I reviewed from these authors, and although the storyline is quite different, you can feel the similarity aside from the fact that the main characters are the same people.

The last chapter took me aback. It raised a question in my mind, and once I answered it, it left me with only a few words: “That was God‘s will.”

4 Reasons to Read Christian Fiction

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Why do readers of any genres read?

Ask them and you will typically get these answers:

  1. I read to escape my boredom, to be entertained.
  2. I read to be distracted.
  3. I read to feel, to change my mood, to make me forget my mood.
  4. I read because I like to believe life is more than what I see in my waking life. It is where I meet honorable people (characters).

Why do people read Christian fiction?

  1. Because they crave the Light. The common, all-too-human ugliness and darkness are what they see in their every day life. They want to believe there is still light (good people) in this world.
  2. Because they look for God, consciously or not. It is hard to find something you don’t know how to look for. You cannot find evidence if you don’t know what you are looking for. How do you recognize God? How do you see his footprint? People need to learn how to look for God’s work and figure out where God begins and where they end. The line is blurry for too many people.
  3. Because they seek a way to get to God. Too often, God is viewed as this deity perched up on the highest shelf, thus unattainable by humans. Christian fiction is their hope to find a way to get to him. It gives a tangible manifestation of their quest and if they read the right story for them, they will hear God’s whispers and find their way to him.
  4. Because they crave hearing from God. Of course, the Bible is God’s Word, but it is still cryptic. They are epic stories that relate very little to our humdrum lives. Christian fiction is a bridge. It can take epic lessons and apply them to our lives and it can take our lives and turn it into an epic story that has God’s name written all over it.

There are only a few ways to write stories that resonates deep within the reader:

  • Dig deep, get to the root of most human painful experience (abandonment, abuse, negligence, etc.), and you will create a story to which many readers can relate.
  • Look beyond appearances and let God’s works shine through. Show your readers how God works when He says “let there be light”.
  • God is not linear in his works, He is universal… He controls the chain of events, the ripple effect, and the consequences. One act, his word, doesn’t go back to Him without doing everything it was meant to do. Nothing – absolutely nothing – gets lost. For lack of better words, his work is holistic, multi-purpose, complete, and perfect.
  • God works where and when we can’t. Look for God in the impossibilities, in behaviors unnatural to human nature.

God can use anything – did he not use a donkey to speak to a prophet? – to ‘speak’ to anyone. A story is as good as anything to spark a real desire to know God or hint toward a way to find him.

Related links:

4 Reasons to Read Inspirational Fiction

Purpose for Christian Fiction

A Friend Loves Always

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One of the most striking stories of friendship between human beings in the Old Testament is that of Jonathan and David. In today’s terms, they were the first “bromance” in history.

1And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

1 Samuel 18:1 (KJV)

These following verses are the same verse, but from different versions:

New International Version
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.

New Living Translation
After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David.

English Standard Version
As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

Shortly put, Jonathan was King Saul’s son and King Saul hated David enough to “hunt him”, to seek ways and to attempt to get rid of him. As you might have guessed, David survived every King Saul’s attempts to kill him.

In the New Testament, however, it is a surprising relationship you will find in a letter from Paul to Philemon. You know, this letter everyone keeps skipping because they think the letters to the Corinthians, the Galatians, the Romans, the Ephesians, and the Colossians convey more crucial content than it. Paul’s letter to Philemon seems out of place among the other letters. First, the letter is addressed to one person instead of a group and second, Paul asked for a favour instead of teaching, scolding, or directly exhorting the addressee. The tone is intimate (read this word to mean that they know and understand each other), full of respect and consideration.

But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

Philemon 1:14 (KJV)

New International Version
But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.

New Living Translation
But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.

English Standard Version
but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.

Why did Paul ask something of Philemon instead of commanding him to do it? Paul did not lack in authority; he pointed it out to Philemon and highlighted the fact he deliberately chose not to use it. Most of the people he wrote to were people who converted during his visits to these regions. Most considered him their “spiritual father”, their mentor, their teacher. However, in the name of friendship, Paul asks Philemon to do something instead of commanding him to do so.  Why did Paul choose it?

I read some commentaries about this letter and most agree on the fact that Paul provided Philemon with an opportunity to do one more thing for the Lord, a gesture done willingly.

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

1 Peter 5:2
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;

But what if there was more to it?

From the beginning of the letter, we know Paul is confident in Philemon’s answer. Philemon is a man who loves the Lord and God’s followers. From the way Paul addresses Philemon in the beginning of his letter, I keep picturing him as the eager type: eager to please the Lord, fervent in his walk of love,  and ready to walk in obedience.

What if Paul gave Philemon an opportunity to grow? The letter mentioned an unpleasant history between Philemon and Onesimus; Paul must have suspected that the favour he asked of him would be a tall order and a sore spot in Philemon’s life. In order for Philemon to give Paul a positive answer, he had to make things right with God in regards to Onesimus and within himself over the past, and most likely forgive Onesimus. A positive answer to Paul required of Philemon to choose God, to choose to grow in maturity, and Paul knew it.

Since no one can coerce someone else into growing up; it had to be done willingly.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:17

New International Version
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

New Living Translation
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

English Standard Version
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

In my own opinion, the most potent verse about friendship is found in Proverbs:

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)

A friend loves at all times, and to know what love is and what it does, go to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJV)

People usually enter a friendship because they like and love their friend from the get-go. If you are in a friendship that does not engage your heart in a positive way, it is not a friendship and you are not a friend. Most agree that friendship happens between like-minded people, but it is not always the case; something common brings them together but they might very well be opposites in terms personality and outlook on life.

Friendship, in God’s eyes, serves a purpose. Friendship is a relationship in which the friends are called to serve (to minister to) one another, to be there for each other. Friendship is also a type of relationship that heightens awareness.  We come to be (to exist, to label who we are) only in front of someone else. Difference in opinions, shortcomings, and subconscious and conscious emotions find an outlet through friendship and sometimes also get in the way. Friendship is never about self, it is always about the other person because love is selfless (love does not seek its own and love does not parade itself, is not puffed up).

Real friends are honest with each other, they are truthful, and they care about one another. A friend provides help and support and meets the needs he can meet. Friendship overall builds up the two people in it. Friendship is benevolent because love is kind and love thinks no evil. Friendship is one of God’s ways to show us his love, because a friend loves at all times and love forgives all.

Need a reminder on what love is and what love does?

Love cannot exist without free will. Love does not behave rudely, therefore love does not allow coercion, domination, and tyranny and coercing Philemon in any way would have been proof that Paul did not love him. Paul loved Philemon as a friend, hence the reason he granted him the opportunity to exert his free will, the opportunity to grow in God and in love, and thus become a more mature Christian. That’s what friends do for one another; they help each other grow closer to God by loving their friend unconditionally, by loving the way God loves, by God loving their friend through them.

Related articles:

Top 7 bible verses about friendship

Being a Friend

Bible verses about friendship: 20 good scripture quotes

True Friendship

The Glory of God

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The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

– Psalm 19 (KJV)

Faith Without Works Is Dead

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14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James 2 NKJV – Beware of Personal Favoritism – My – Bible Gateway

 

Walk of Obedience

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Walking with God is a narrow path because few do it. It is full of bumps, of cliffs, of brooks of various depth and width, of missing ground (where you have to leap to get to the other side), of blisters to your feet, of sunburn and bugs bites, of countless tiring efforts, and of pain at times. However, I would not go back to walking the other way, in the larger path, for walking with God is the most amazing thing I have experienced.

I am always amazed to behold His work in every detail and every circumstance He puts me in. As I told a friend,

I don’t force faith, it is something I have because God is a living presence in my life.

I am not here to tell you what to do or what to believe in, I can only bear witness to what God does in my life and tell you why I choose to walk in obedience to Him.

  • Time and time again, He puts me in a situation where I have no other choice but to rely on Him… Regardless of what I think, of what I feel, of what I wish, I say yes to Him.
  • Through this walk of obedience, He teaches me (through comparison, through experience, through observation) and I love learning… I have a thirst for knowledge, I like understanding the “what”, the “why” and the “how” of things so I can be further amazed by His work.
  • Walking in obedience leads you to the truth (about yourself and others) if you have the humility to listen to the Holy Spirit.

Often, He has me doing things I would not do on my own (because the flesh says it doesn’t feel like it or it is afraid), and yet I choose to do them because it helps somebody, because doing so brings me closer to God, because I learn through it, because partaking in His work as His instrument is a great honour, because watching Him in the midst of it is something I will not ever get tired of.

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Make no mistake, choosing obedience requires faith, but I put my trust in God. He is Almighty, that’s all I really need to know.

 

To Those Who Suffer

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Nobody knows suffering as much as Jesus does. He endured it all (emotional, psychological, and physical). He was sought after everywhere he went, either by crowds drawn to him or by Pharisees and the likes who wanted to discredit him and ultimately get rid of him. He had a few friends, followers, yet his people rejected him as a prophet, as the Son of God.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

ISAIAH CHAPTER 53 KJV

Jesus, being everything God loves, was nothing to men, insignificant, disregarded. The only men who saw him for who he really was were those who were chosen by God. Jesus was a man of sorrows, familiar with grief; he knew sadness inside out.

Is our walk with God very different from that of Jesus?

Jesus is holy and sanctification is every Christian’s calling. Can we be saints and live a very different life from that of Jesus? That would be very illogical.

Just as it happened with Jesus, nobody will recognize God in us unless God wants them to see Him. The truth we tell will be perceived as lies, our kindness will be perceived as weakness, and our guileless intents will be perceived as wicked. The light of God shines through us, but can a blind man see the light? We are all blind without the Spirit of Truth.

The suffering in our lives has a purpose. It brings us to God, on our knees. Many go to Him for relief and find it. Suffering and understanding give us compassion for others. When we walk in obedience to God, He will protect us from pain because His presence is more powerful than man-inflicted pain. His love is so overwhelming it will be the only thing we feel.

Our perceptions and understanding change in God’s presence; His love is revealed to us and through us, and prior suffering fades away. Love heals, love gives life, and love stands in truth.

Paul says about suffering that if we take part in his suffering, we also take part in his consolation. I for one believe with all my heart that my own suffering is worth it if it opens a door to God revealing Himself to someone who needs Him.

I am just a vessel, but I find honour in Him using me to reveal His glory. There is nothing grander than to be in the presence of God Almighty. My consolation for suffering? Seeing the kingdom of God, his reign, feeling His love and presence, and contemplating His glory. This is enough to have me rejoice, to praise his name, to put a smile on my face and to be awed at God’s Almightiness.

An Approved Workman

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14 Remind them of these things, commanding them before the Lord that they not argue about words, which leads to nothing of value and to the destruction of those who hear them. 15 Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But avoid profane foolish babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness, 17 and their word will spread like gangrene: Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and who overthrow the faith of some. 19 But the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

20 In a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some are for honor, and some for dishonor.21 One who cleanses himself from these things will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, fit for the Master’s use, and prepared for every good work.

22 So flee youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and unlearned debates, knowing that they create strife. 24 The servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be gentle toward all people, able to teach, patient, 25 in gentleness instructing those in opposition. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth,26 and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:14-26

 

Strength

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Why would Paul rejoice in his own weakness?

Finding a plausible explanation is not obvious, is it?

As I understand it, strength is not what we know as strength of personality. It is neither about bullying nor about demanding respect. Strength is not some snappy and hurtful comebacks. Neither is it playing the blame game nor telling home truths.

Strength is utter weakness in which He is strong.

Strength is being in tune with Almighty God.

Strength comes from and is the Holy Spirit; strength is love and forgiveness.

You are Almighty God’s perfect instrument. Your own weakness makes it so that the Holy Spirit can operate in you and use you to fulfill God’s will.

See?

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

Think about it. Feeling Almighty God’s love go through you is as close to Him as you are going to get in this realm.

What a wonderful feeling!