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May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:22 (NIV)
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By the word of the Lord were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the people of the world revere Him.
. . .
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in His unfailing love,
to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
Psalm 33:6-8, 18-19 (NIV)
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The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
Psalm 14:1 (NIV)
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Blessed is the nation
whose God is the Lord
Psalm 33:12
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He [Jesus] said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:7-8 (NIV)
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Hard Son by J. B. Turner is Book 15 of A Jon Reznick Thriller.
Jon Reznick is the Dexedrine popping former Delta, Black Ops, CIA, and FBI consultant. He’s that guy you really don’t want to come up against. Dedicated to whatever mission he’s assigned – rules excluded if they interfere with the mission – this one in Mallorca which he was talked into by CIA man Daniel Black feels all wrong from the moment he arrives. Even assisted by tech guru/hacker supreme and friend Trevelle Williams, nothing is pointing to his target.
Jon’s job is to retrieve a passel of documentation left by retired high-ranking intelligence guru and 80-year-old victim of a sniper assassination on a former naval base and to neutralize the shooter. Those records are critical for protection and exposure of all kinds of intelligence gathered over many years. The assassination is covered up by the Spanish authorities, but the people in Port de Sóller quickly realize who and where this hit took place.
The sniper has only left one tiny piece of evidence which is found by Jon’s second visit to the deserted property where the shooter took his shot.
Not until a second suspicious death and the results found by Trevelle regarding the evidence Jon provided by phone is discovered does the identity of this “ghost” become a reality.
Not only does Jon suffer a near-death experience, it isn’t until late in his search that he realizes who the ultimate target is. Trying to get to the killer before he’s successful provides intense suspense.
Hard Sun is a classic chase amidst sweltering, oppressive heat with virtually no trail to follow, brutal conflict, and second-guesses with some sad results before a final reckoning.
Highly recommend this series.
(Profanity present.)
Father, please continue to bless J.B. and provide the inspiration he needs to continue his writing. Watch over him and his family and encourage him all along the way. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Luke 2:41-52 (NIV)
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Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Luke 2:25-35 (NIV)
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Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 (NIV)
Because of Jesus, we live. Merry Christmas to All.
