JESUS IS MORE THAN A BANDAID!

A few months ago, a well known Christian lady purchased my novel, Whatever He Wants. Shortly thereafter, I received a phone call. She said, “I cannot believe you wrote a book full of sex, drugs, and alcohol. Why?”

 

My response was weak. Since the release of the book, I had heard many great testimonies from readers about how the story had helped them by giving them hope or giving them a hunger for God's presence. I wasn’t expecting an attack from fellow Christians. I know with absolute certainty this was a Jesus story. A story God gave me to write. A story that I prayed and fasted for.  Since then, others have questioned my work. "Why did you depict sin so that the reader is almost tempted?"

 

This blog post is an answer to that question.

 

 

 

The book, Whatever He Wants, opens at a party scene.
Drugs, alcohol, and hook-ups are center stage.
This is reality.

Like many of us, James Preston struggles with consequences of past sins.
He searches for his young son and his son's drug addicted mother,
a woman James has no intention of marrying.

Many pew dwellers write James off.

They say he got what he deserved when he rebelled against his Christian heritage and sinned.

But, thank God, Jesus doesn’t give up that quickly.

He rescues us from our mistakes and calls us to repentance.
 

Jesus also protects us from our own good intentions.

Joni Maher attends the party with one goal, to destroy the curse of her virginity.

Today’s society portrays innocence as a weakness, but God says it is a treasure.

How can we fault young girls for giving themselves away,

when we haven’t taught them the value of their bodies?

While we give them a list of dos and don’ts,

 the world whispers lies in their ears.

 Satan seduces them with promises of beauty and temporary love.
 

Yes, the novels I write are full of sin.
 

“…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” Romans 5:20

They are also full of the convicting presence of God, His mercy, His grace,
and the awesome power of the Holy Ghost.

Why?
 
Jesus is more than a band aid. He can handle the tough issues.
The ones we encounter in real life., not the façade we wear to church.
Real people are tempted. And real people need the blood of Jesus,
magnified by the Holy Ghost to overcome those temptations.

 

Let's Talk!

I'm guest hosting with Parker J Cole

on WLUV Radio tonight @ 6pm.

Join us as we discuss

Denominational Divides in Christian publishing,

Why I chose to Indie Publish,

and writing a fast rough draft.

Let's Talk!

 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/wluvradio/2013/07/09/cross-wars--denominational-divides

 

 

Leave a blog comment to win one of two copies

of the first book in The Whatever Series.

Whatever He Wants

Second Edition

(July, 10, 2013)

 

 

 

www.empoweredpublicationsinc.com

 

Pentecostal Fiction

A picture of Pentecost by Michael Freeman

thisischurch.com

 

What is it? Who reads it?

 

Cultural upbringing affects our daily lives. Most of the time we do things like our parents taught us. Southern folk talk different than people from the North. We eat bacon, grits and greens because that’s the way we were raised. That’s who we are. That’s what we identify with.

 

Pentecostal isn’t a denomination. It is a way of life. We don’t handle snakes, chant or dance naked around the fire.

 

We are different. A peculiar people. Pentecostals dress different, act different and talk different than other Christians. We are NOT perfect and we DO make mistakes but true Pentecostals all have one thing in common, the baptism of the Holy Ghost. We talk in tongues and strive for the best Spiritual gifts. We worship in the Spirit.

 

The Holy Ghost isn’t to be feared. He is the third person of the trinity and is available to all blood-bought, born-again saints, regardless of denomination. He can’t be explained. He must be experienced.

 

Characters in my fiction novels experience the power of the Holy Ghost. They enter God’s presence through his Spirit. They are drawn to the precious blood of Jesus by the Spirit. As with all relationships, some characters are more intimate with Him than others. While living in a world of conflict and sorrow, they struggle, question and react to God’s prompting. Much like you and I.

 

If you’ve never attended a Pentecostal service, I encourage you to do so regardless of your own denomination, but you don’t have to be Pentecostal to enjoy Pentecostal fiction. Just like you don’t have to be Amish to read Amish fiction.

 

 

A true Pentecostal novel written by a Pentecostal author is available here. I hope you enjoy the story and may the Spirit lead you into God’s presence as you read.

 

 



 

Are We There Yet?

Are We There Yet? This was the title of my first book. It was written in the first grade and the only copy of it was lost long ago. But I remember the words like they were yesterday. When I was a kid, every summer we’d travel for days to visit my grandpa in Oklahoma. I’d curl up in the floorboard, because my older sister would be stretched out on the backseat and my legs would cramp forever.

Finally, just when I couldn’t take it anymore. We’d arrived at the hotel.

My first book is now published and I ask myself am I there yet?

In II Timothy, which is the last epistle of Paul, he wrote: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” Then he was martyred. Right? Wrong!

Paul kept working after he wrote those famous words. He gives Timothy a list of things he needs. His cloak, books, parchment. He said bring Mark with you, because he is profitable for the ministry. Until Paul’s last breath, he preached the gospel.

My novel, Whatever He Wants is a redemption story that portrays the message of the cross, the power of the Holy Ghost and the love of our Heavenly Father. I have finished writing and publishing, but I’m not there yet.

What good is a message if no one hears it? So I pray Lord, give me strength, wisdom and perseverance to market and distribute the work you’ve called me to.

Buy Whatever He Wants here.