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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.

 

 



 

Sparkplug!!! My one word for 2013

Its a bit unusual but "sparkplug" is the word God gave me. Here's the short version based on a sermon preached by Luke Chapman.
We are vessels used by God. Every motorized vessel (car, lawn mower, tractor, etc) has a sparkplug. If the sparkplug is dirty it can't jump start the vessel into motion. Therefore the vessel can’t be used by God. So this year, I vow to keep my sparkplug clean from doubt, insecurities and fear, so that God may use me and my writing to further his kingdom.

Making a one word resolution is inspired by the book My One Word: Change Your Life With Just One Word by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen (Dec 18, 2012)

Criticism for Success

Charles Barsotti — The New Yorker — 2000

Recently I participated in a church service via the internet. By participated I mean that I worshipped with the congregation. I amened the preacher, who preached a fabulous message. The sermon encouraged me on my walk with God, Strengthened me to do the work God has called me to do. I was also blessed to see the congregations touched by God’s presence.

Even thought the service started at 7:30 and the preacher didn’t’ take the pulpit until 9:00, I hated to see the service end.

Past my bedtime, I closed that tab and was astonished to see a very negative comment about the same service on social media.

What? How could this be?

I’m relatively new in the Lord. I’ve been saved for ten years and I wondered if others judge me as harshly as this critic judged them. What do they say about my worship? My words? My books? My plays? I tossed and turned all night.

Then, I prayed. I prayed for the church insulted and its pastor. I prayed that he wouldn’t let judgmental people stop the work of the kingdom. I prayed for the so-called saint of God who felt it was their duty to judge. I prayed for myself as I’ve become worried about book reviews lately.

Prayer is a two part conversation. I was elated when God spoke and reminded me what his word says about judging others. “...the tree is known by its fruit." Matthew 12:33

So, dear saints if you feel it is your Christian duty to critique every sermon preached or song sung tally up the souls that are won for God and base your judgment on these numbers. For you see, the church I referred to previously in this post has more new converts than any church I know. Over the years I’ve watched, not in judgment but in jubilation, as God has changed many from sinners to saints, from lovers of pleasure to lovers of God. They’ve become vessels for the King, working in outreach, affecting others with their genuine hunger for righteousness.

I hope when you judge me and my works you’ll take into consideration the sincerity in which they were written and the countless tears shed as I searched after God’s will, not man’s.

The world measures success in numbers. Numbers of books sold, numbers of digits in your bank balance, numbers of square feet in your home.

I choose to measure my success by the number of souls I’ve led to the feet of Jesus.

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.

What do you get when you cross a Mormon and a Baptist?

What do you get when you cross a Mormon and a Baptist?

I don’t believe it was God’s intention for His church to divide but as all things work together for the good of them that are called by God according to his purposes, different denominations should strengthen the church in the last days.

God wasn’t pleased with all seven churches of Asia. In fact only two of them escaped a reprimand. In light of the false doctrines running rampant in today’s society, we must choose our home church carefully.

I remember, as a little girl attending a country Baptist church with my mother and sisters. The next week, Daddy would drive the family fifteen miles to the nearest Mormon tabernacle. Eventually the differences between the two faiths caused a breech between my parents and church attendance was forsaken for an illusion of familial peace.

A little while later, a dear saint of God threatened to wash my filthy mouth out with soap and invited me to revival. I was about eight years old and was scared to death when someone spoke in tongues.

When my eldest sister married into the Assemblies of God, I began to tag along and experienced God’s presence. Unfortunately, lack of spiritual direction during my teen years resulted lazy Sunday mornings. High school was one big party filled with various forms of drugs and alcohol. God was forgotten while I made my own way in the world and moved around the country.

Ten years ago, divorced with two children, I crawled back to an old-fashioned altar. My life a mess, I gave myself and everything that was “me” to Jesus.

He changed “me” from a selfish- rank-sinner to a grateful person saved by grace. Some changes were immediate, some gradual and others ongoing. I’m saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. I am who He’s making me. I’m not perfect and often make mistakes, but I know where to go for strength, comfort and forgiveness.

I have convictions that can’t be understood or explained. I love to worship my savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. And yes if I’m blessed and the spirit gives the utterance, I speak in tongues. In a good service, I say amen and hallelujah. I’ve been known to shout and fall out in the spirit.

Tonight, I’m posting this blog to say that although my mother was a Baptist and my father a Mormon, I am proudly…

PENTECOSTAL.