It was you and me who put Him there. And only He can redeem us. A cruel death for the sinless One who loved us so much He endured it all. For you and me.
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (NIV)
This from August 3rd, 2008, my favorite of all of Chris Fabry's wonderful novels.
This has been a rewarding summer in the reading department. The CFBA blog tours have provided an ample selection of valuable novels, and my other selections have exceeded or at least equaled my high expectations for the choices I’ve made.
Now to add to the growing collection of worthwhile novels: Chris Fabry’s first adult novel, Dogwood. The West Virginia native, “husband of one and father of nine” as he likes to say, has authored over 50 children’s and young adult books, and he is the host of the “Chris Fabry Live!” on Moody Radio, the Love Worth Finding broadcast. Suffice it to say his credentials are no small potatoes.
I cannot pinpoint how this happens, but some writers just inspire me to flex my writing muscles—to get down to it again, dive in for total immersion, engaging that story which simmers in my mind’s eye. Chris Fabry’s writing did that for me. He made me want to be better, to encapsulate myself within the words absorbing them into my bloodstream in order to somehow produce a living, breathing story. Oh, I know the feeling, but with this blog I’ve gotten away from “the novel” for awhile, and now it’s like I’m starving myself—or maybe it’s just finally occurring to me that I’m ingesting a bunch of junk food and trying to “live” healthy. Regardless of analogies, his writing is rewarding, so wonderfully and at the same time painfully real, that I remember what it feels like to “compose” a story. Thank you for that, Chris.
Dogwood is a multiple character study of several members of the small town, the protagonist Will facing his release from 12 years of prison, the memory of his first and only love keeping him sane and almost hopeful. The vision of his dreams for the future, Karin, is struggling with a tormented existence which she perceives as empty, lifeless, and corrupted by her memories and rekindled desires for Will after being convinced by an elderly friend to visit him not long before his release. She spends most of her nights in her closet unable to sleep.
The town of Dogwood has not forgiven Will for the car accident which slaughtered the children of one family, and he returns to hateful stares and trouble keeping a job. He learns a good friend from his youth has disappeared, and nothing seems right about the speculations as to his whereabouts. His strained relationship with his brother and the menacing threats from the new sheriff all add up to more misery, difficulty, and obstacles for Will’s realization of any kind of dream.
The subplots and intersections of all these characters reveal an intricate connection to one another. I haven’t decided if I’m completely in agreement with the choices made for the ending of this novel, but I’ll tell you this: the writing makes up for my differences with the plot direction and makes it more than a worthy read. I know I’ve been saying this a lot lately—and I know when someone reviews a book with superfluous comments, it can get old and seem a bit dishonest—but I truly loved this book.
The primary reason for my feelings is that Chris presents so many depictions of people and circumstances planted in a reality and voiced by individuals who you or I as a reader have either seen or known in our actual lives. They become familiar and you would recognize their voices and attitudes even if the chapters weren’t titled with their names. There are only a couple of stereotypes—easily noticed without my identification—but for the most part this story puts you smack dab in the middle of small town America with an angry attitude, a hypocritical desire to make someone pay, and a grudge to hold for as long as necessary. Contrasted to that is a love so deep and inextinguishable, it holds you captive with its hope—even when you wonder if it’s okay to hope for its consummation.
This is a beautiful story written oh so well. Read it if you can.
Father, I wouldn’t wish for Chris to be removed from sharing his writing with children or young adults, but I pray you would continue to lead him to write for adults as well. Thank you for the talent you’ve given him, and I pray your inspiration would reign in his heart. Please help him in all of his endeavors done for your glory. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
And I couldn't be more excited to see this "final adventure".
Father, you are the One who redeems the lost. We are the ones who ask for their salvation. Please . . . In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Loved this song. And, yeah, it was appropriate for the time.
Father, you are generous to your people and love the creativity that you share. Thank you for your divine touch on so many. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Ruth Logan Herne has written a contemporary romance featuring life on the Stafford prized cattle ranch where the wayward son who left the lush hills of eastern Washington state for the financial glitz of Manhattan returns to his childhood home knowing he'll face the friction of his father and brother but not expecting it to come from a beautiful and tough woman managing the house and his ailing father's care.
Colt Stafford sampled all the financial district in New York had to offer until the market turned on him along with a questionable investment that stunted his successful career. Going home to the Double S Ranch humbles him knowing he'll be forced to face his failure head on with his father and brother. When he walks in the door to a startling beauty holding a rifle pointed at his chest, he's forced to identify himself in his former home. Turns out Angelina Morales wasn't expecting him home early and since she'd never met him, she was establishing the Double S home didn't tolerate intruders. When he confirms his identity, his welcome goes from deadly to lukewarm.
Colt hits the ground running – or riding as it turns out – right in the middle of calving season on the lush ranch and just before a major storm rolls in. Rounding up pregnant cows and new calves to shelter them from the onset of the storm presses him, his brother, and their hired help who've been with the ranch for many years. Extra help shows up and Angelina keeps them all well fed.
Colt's father has suffered some severe health issues but is doing his best to recover. He's had a major change of heart in recent times and wants to make up for who he's been to his sons and the community over the past many years since the boys' mother died when they were very young. Colt's not buying it at first having acquired a hard heart himself during his time estranged from the ranch.
The attraction between Angelina and Colt is undeniable although they both fight it. (It is a romance novel after all.) With wrong suppositions about each other and their past experiences, not to mention some personal secrets, to thwart their progress toward each other, Colt grows weary of the fight and decides to plow through the difficulties between them. The addition of family, neighbors, his brother's daughters, another estranged brother eager to forgive and be a part of the new attitude permeating the ranch, there's much happening behind the scenes adding more confusion and chaos. When a fire breaks out on the outskirts of the small town, it takes fast action from the Stafford men to help contain the danger and Angelina is right in the thick of it.
I appreciated reading a novel about a fictional eastern Washington town and the way Ruth handled the sensitivity of ranchers who respect the animals they raise. Slipping in the faith factors through some of the characters, its influence in the overall story and mending relationships, she kept the need for forgiveness and starting over prominent throughout the novel. With likable co-protagonists, a reformed and appealing ailing father, and interesting peripheral characters, Back in the Saddle does its job of presenting a contemporary western romance. Enjoyed this one.
Father, please bless Ruth in all of her writing. Help her to do as you ask and may she honor you in all she does and writes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zaccheus, he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zaccheus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner."
But Zaccheus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody, out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Luke 19:1-10 (NIV)
Personal dreams or goals are odd things. Some of them are based on impossibilities and others are based on the individual's sheer will to meet them or to make them happen. Ranging from marriage and a happy family to climbing Mt. Everest, dreams and goals are usually present in almost all humanity.
When we think about those who are being butchered and persecuted, starved and imprisoned, it's hard to imagine what their dreams might be. We're privileged to at the very least think about what we hope will happen or what we are committed to make happen in our life's quest.
Those who seek positions or authority, who wish to gain fame and fortune, who want to write or paint the next world-renowned masterpiece, but who do so while relying on their own ingenuity, intelligence, inspiration, and indulgence are missing the greatest fete of all: the dependence on the One who gives creativity, gifting, abilities, and determination while guiding individuals to fulfill those things designed just for them. To understand the life purpose, to struggle along the way establishing humility in the tasks, to absolutely know that God introduces people to their talents and lays the groundwork for completing the journey to His endgame . . . it takes the ultimate faith to persevere to achieve whatever that is.
The lessons learned in this lifetime often come hard and fast and can be repeated as necessary. Without purpose life's goals and dreams can seem meaningless or eventually unattainable creating disillusionment. People push themselves to do unlikely things because they want them to happen not because they've discovered any divine leading to accomplish them. Modifications are made, time stretches taut, or perhaps every goal and dream sought are realized. And then . . . void. Or narcissism. Or the illusion of perfection. And the push for more continues.
With God people can find new inspiration as the original plan is finished. Age requires new ideas that can be productive and sustained. God has the plan for each human being He created. Some plans are simple, others complex, others defined only by Him, but no one is discounted, no one is without purpose. It's easy for humans to forget that. And it's easier still for humans to disregard that unique design while pursuing other goals and dreams that are highly valued only to themselves.
If in the middle of pursuing that illusive dream or goal, consider the One who designed you, who owns the Master Plan, who will accompany you through every level of disappointment and achievement, who will never abandon you when you fail and will finally help you to succeed His way no matter how long it takes or how old you are.
Father, you are the ultimate gift giver, the Grand Designer, the fulfiller of promises. Apart from you, we can do nothing. Always desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Republished from 2012: The goodness in . . . My Stubborn Heart
My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade, published by Bethany House, is my final May review for the CFBA Tour and what a way to close it out. It's a rare time, as those who follow me here know, that I can rave about a CBA romance novel. As much as I love romance, that's a sad commentary on the genre in general. However, even though My Stubborn Heart is officially a romance novel in that it follows the formula for such stories, Becky Wade has breathed fresh life into a tried - and/or tired - and true format. My Stubborn Heart touched mine.
Antique-lover Kate Donovan lives and works in social services for child placement in Dallas, Texas. Heartbreak has overridden her enthusiasm so she's grateful for the three months away she gets to spend with her grandmother in Redbud, Pennsylvania, restoring the grand old home where her "Gran" grew up. Weary of the "still-single-at 31" stigma, she wonders if God will ever provide the right man for her.
Shortly upon arrival, Gran introduces her to the contractor hired to renovate the house. Matt Jarreau has little to say, but Kate is nearly paralyzed with attraction to the guy whose eyes telegraph some kind of sorrow while his demeanor shouts "No Admittance" to his personal life. Matt determines to work alone and Kate decides she's going to penetrate that steel façade and make a friend out of him because he's a solid challenge to her stubborn heart. When she and Gran learn his history, a new perspective accompanies the information.
Kate and Gran go to work on sifting through all the decades of stuff in the house while Matt labors over each room in stony silence. When Kate "helps" him paint her attic bedroom, Matt senses she's not going to respond to his stay-away looks and parsed words. Day after day she works her way into stunted conversations with him while Gran invites him to stay for dinner every night after work, and every night he refuses until one night he accepts and berates himself for yielding right up until he's in the kitchen getting coerced cooking lessons from Gran.
Okay, we all know how it's gonna end. However, the walk-through of this relationship is at times comical, always emotional, heartbreaking, and fully entertaining. The sub-plots and peripheral characters offer clever and meaningful variety to the fleshed out Kate and Matt. With the struggles elevated by the faithful Kate and the faithless, angry Matt, we observe the depth of their individual conflicts and accumulated personal pain.
The sub-themes of what's required in faith, of worthiness, of forgiveness, of obedience – they're all there, sometimes subtle, sometimes not – but well done.
For those readers of Christian fiction who've wanted a little more reality in the language department, Becky dares to use the following words (which will no doubt raise the hackles of those readers who pass judgment on these kinds of things): boobs, balls (as in male body parts), crap, pissed. Only once for some of them and at, dare I say, the opportune moments? Really. And this from Bethany House! Ay, ay, ay. Not for shock value but for poignant moments and character-fitting verbiage. Authenticity. The way it should be done in this kind of story.
My one nit-picky criticism is the cover. I wish they would've done the top half like the bottom half just showing part of Kate's face because the cover rendition doesn't fit the girl inside the pages . . .
There's some great writing in My Stubborn Heart. Becky fluctuates between Kate's and Matt's POVs and thoughts and nails their personalities. I love the way the final conflict is resolved. The man's man that Matt is would do it this way. If you want to read a truly good romance novel with heart, skilled writing, and a Prologue and Epilogue which will remind you of the film Chocolat, My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade is the book for you. Thoroughly recommended.
http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13491775/beckywade
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764209744
Father, you know the romance you put in Becky's heart and the talent you've given her to convey it. Please continue to bless that heart and give her those love stories you've designed just for her to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Yup, another good one for this Wednesday. She's gonnnnne!
Father, thank you for the creativity even if and when those you use your gift don't know you. May they find out who you really are: the Savior of the world. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Romance novels follow a distinct formula and to love romantic fiction is to love that staid formula. And of course many, many women do love a good romance and totally embrace the formulaic pattern of romance novels. So what makes one of those stories unique, startling, heart-rending, and special?
Maybe the setting/location contribute to that rare experience or perhaps the occupations of the protagonists, but really most would agree that thing that sets one story apart from another and makes it terrific is the characterization of the hero and heroine. If they don't grab you in a good way, chances are the book is just another boy-meets-girl, they experience hot sparks, they miscommunicate and trouble goes crazy on them until finally they straighten out their circumstances and tumble into each other's arms. You know the drill.
So. The challenge it seems for all of us who dabble in the romance genre - or write love stories as I prefer to call mine – is to create characters that draw the reader into his and her world. Okay, okay, most people would agree that characters must be effective, dynamic, or curious enough to present that unusual sensation readers experience when they absolutely love a character or characters in a story. The Lord knows how many characters I've almost hated through my years of reading. Some of them I just wanted to put out of their misery or slap them up-side the head or across the face. Seriously. And maybe even worse: they bored me with their attitudes, behaviors, rigidity, blandness. Something has to set them apart to make a romance meaningful.
And along with effective characters, the trauma, chaos, trouble – whatever ushers in the difficulties – all those things must seem somewhat reasonable because if they're trite and petty, silly and pouty, I'm so not there for them. Shallow characters and self-induced distress make for really poor reading.
Let's not forget the strength of realistic dialogue that snaps, crackles, and pops with whatever's needed between two people who are attracted to each other. There's no substitute for real potent dialogue. It often fills out the characters and cements them, secures them in an unforgettable entanglement that sparks when they talk to each other. Never underestimate the power of dialogue.
Within that restrictive formula we writers know there is "nothing new under the sun" (Solomon) so we're forced to the ends of our creativity to give readers the heroes/heroines to make them think they're almost real. Not an easy challenge.
Father, help us all to write the best characters we can. Inspire us, Lord. Light us up! Help us to honor you with our writing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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