Into the Fire

Some of you will participate in Black Friday. Others of you will put off shopping until the crowds dissipate. A few of you are all done with your Christmas shopping. Wherever you are in the process, we’re stopping here for a commercial break.

As you know, I detest marketing. Foolish of me, I know. Nevertheless, I don’t detest my work. So, I’m going to suggest a Christmas present for those readers in your families who have been away from the Lord for some time or who have never had the life-changing experience of meeting Jesus Christ. Many Christian novels are right up front with the gospel message and are clearly evangelical stories. If this works for a story, and the writing is good, bring it on. I will not be offended if it’s done well. However, there are readers who get queasy and uneasy at the mention of the gospel up front, especially if they’ve been living in a lifestyle they know is wrong for them. The temptation is to buy them a bestseller from the secular catalogues. May I suggest you give them a copy of The Famous One?

The Famous One will show them one person’s journey to salvation, how his desire to end his loneliness is filled early on with alcohol, drugs, and a lot of sex. As the author of this tale, I can tell you this character is not judged for his lifestyle. The reader sees his beginnings and walks through the pages of his life with him, experiencing the yearnings for love and family, the loss of relationships, the establishment of stability while becoming a celebrated actor. All the while something is missing, and he can’t imagine what it could be until he finds it.

Male or female, lost or found, I believe this novel could minister to those people who need a reality check and long for a fresh perspective or any perspective at all into the place God has for them.

God, thank you for this story. It held such power when it demanded to be told. I pray you would use it for your glory, for providing hope, for winning the lost and searching. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.