The Breakthrough by Jerry B. Jenkins-Review

I thought early in this page-turner novel, that Boone Drake was a modern day Job. He lost his wife, son, home, faith, passion for his work and his purpose for living. A few years later God restored his life when Boone married Haeley and adopted her son, Max. He had a new home, renewed faith and a greater passion for his work. He was the youngest bureau chief in the history of the Chicago Police Department and headed the city's Major Case Squad. Things seemed to be going too well and Boone began to feel anxious, like something was about to go wrong. Could history repeat itself? His new family would be tested in ways few could survive. Yet at the end of themselves, God strengthened their faith as others stood with them.

Author of the best seller Left Behind series, Jerry B. Jenkins, has entered crime time with his 11th Precinct series of which The Breakthrough is the third novel. Boone Drake is an extraordinary cop. At times I would have lost control, coming face to face with people in a large human trafficing ring. I guess that's why I'm a Sunday school teacher and not a cop. Tears welled up as I read how money causes people to snatch up beautiful children and ship them off to distant places around the world.

Boone found himself in Beijing, China, a city ten times the size of Chicago, with a guide who spoke broken English but coordinated a sting in the nick of time. I learned some things from the people closest to Boone, especially his pastor. Like him, I've started texting scripture verses to friends in tough times. It seems so simple. Why didn't I think of it myself? Thank you, Jerry, for lessons in encouraging others through The Breakthrough. The book also made me think of my grandchildren and the children in my fourth grade Sunday school class--how precious they are and how we have to pray for God to help us protect them from tricks used in human trafficing. Although The Breakthrough is a must-read for parents, teachers and people in law enforcement, it is a novel you won't want to put down.

To See The Sun - A Review

I am happy to say that my friend, Peggy Blann Phifer, did a knockout job crafting To See the Sun. After the loss of her parents and her husband, Erin MacIntyre expects her life to calm down. Instead it grows more intense as she faces having a baby and raising it alone. Then two stalkers make it clear that her life is in danger. Although her faith waivers, she keeps talking to God. I stayed up several nights unable to put the book down, wondering whether Erin would accept help from an x-boyfriend or if she would be the victim of another murder. I found myself praying for Erin during some pretty challenging and suspenseful moments. I am still thinking about the characters and story, even a week after finishing the book.  I can hardly wait to read the next in the series.

If you'd like to know more about the Peggy, the author, and find out more about her book series, my interview with her will be posted here next week and we'll have a drawing for her book, To See the Sun, from the people who leave comments. You'll be blessed if you're the winner.

Let God Love You More

Verse: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

Now that Christmas 2011 is behind us and the New Year has already started, I have this great feeling of new beginnings. I want to do all those wonderful things that I bet are on your New Years Resolutions too:

1. Lose weight.
2. Drink more water.
3. Exercise more.
4. Give more.
5. Save more.
6. Spend less.
7. Get organized.
8. Stay organized.
9. Plan my work.
10. Work my plan.

I have to admit whenever I make New Years Resolutions, I fail within the first week. Yesterday in church I heard a new concept--Let God love you more. How could God love me more? Maybe He can't, but I can acknowledge more of His love if I am quiet in His presence and if I commit more time to prayer. When I think about it, experiencing more of God's love will require a response to love and serve Him better.

I think that means I will be doing the things on the above list--not in my power, but by trusting God in response to His amazing love and knowing He will finish the good work He started in me.

How do you approach the New Year? Are you making resolutions or will you let God love you more, then respond? 

Prayer
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for New Beginnings, for the hope we have in trusting You. Thank you that as we face new challenges and dreams, we can look to You for strength, faith and counsel. Amen.

Home for Christmas

Today when I hear the song, "I'll be Home for Christmas," it takes on a new meaning. My precious friend, Kathy Shelby, lost her fight with bone cancer a couple weeks ago. Today she is Home with Jesus and I can hardly imagine how wonderful that is. For Kathy, it not only means the end of her pain and suffering, but knowing the joy of being in our Lord's presence forever. Her memorial service is tomorrow, December 21, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at Sunrise Community Church, 8321 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, CA.

Kathy was a member of the Fair Oaks Inspire Writer's group since its inception two years ago. Her first published story will be released March 2012 in Inspire’s anthology, Inspiring Stories of Trusting God. Hers is a heart moving story of her faith in a loving God through kidney disease and breast cancer.

Kathy’s writing expressed her great love and faith in our Lord Jesus. She brought a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eye to every workshop and critique meeting. Her writing started during her college days and she came to Inspire to learn how to write her memoir. She wanted her story to show how she depended on God for everything. Her sense of humor kept us laughing, but her stories had a depth of faith that ministered to everyone in our group. Although she didn’t get to write her life story, her family and friends will say that her life is her legacy.

I knew I could depend on Kathy for last minute critiques and prayers before submitting my work for publication. She made herself available no matter what was going on in her life and I loved her for that.

As in any critique group, some manuscripts are harder to critique. Kathy was sensitive to how each person received comments. We all wanted to share our comments in a spirit of love and encouragement. I knew that Kathy and Leota prayed during the difficult meetings, and their prayers were answered. Because of their love and prayers, our Fair Oaks Inspire group is a safe place to grow our writing craft today.

Kathy also contributed at the larger workshops by praying for our speakers as well as working the library table. We will miss her cheerful service and beautiful smile. I’d like to think she is serving our Lord in His library upstairs or writing inspiring stories of faith to encourage the saints. Although we will miss Kathy, I am glad she is Home for Christmas.

Prayer
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for blessing my life with Kathy's love and friendship. It brings me peace knowing she is with You. But I miss her beautiful smile and her encouraging words. Amen.