A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
Psalm 37:10 (NIV)
Into the Fire
Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God
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An oracle is within my heart
concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
There is no fear of God
before his eyes.
For in his own eyes he flatters himself
too much to detect or hate his sin.
The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful;
he has ceased to be wise and to do good.
Even on his bed he plots evil;
he commits himself to a sinful course
and does not reject what is wrong.
Psalm 36:1-4 (NIV)
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. . . the truth.
“You can’t handle the truth!” Famous Jack Nicholson line delivered with malevolent intensity in the film A Few Good Men.
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus Christ
Other “truth-full” quotes:
Truth is stranger than fiction.
Blinded by the truth.
The truth hurts.
The truth can be intimidating, enlightening, refreshing, or annoying. It can transform, incense, convict, or anger. People either embrace it, argue with it, or refuse to believe it. It can be hard to discover, easy to find, or hidden to those who don’t want to see it.
The above line from A Few Good Men is indeed indicative of many. Truth eludes them because admitting it would mean they’ve lived a lie, believed a lie, or wanted a lie to be true. Many will argue against absolute truth(s), citing different “opinions” in the scientific, moral, intellectual, and/or spiritual communities.
Christians don’t just believe the bible is true, they know it is. Their introduction to Jesus Christ is nothing short of supernatural, and they can no longer entertain alternative belief systems. Their relationship has become personal, their knowledge of the spiritual realm explanatory of much of the evil in this world and the workings and influences of a fallen
humanity.Truth is a precious, pervasive, and life-changing commodity. Available. Discernible. Incredible.
Truth is exceptional and ordinary. Spectacular and simple. Beautiful and terrifying. Amazing and obvious.
Few seek it. There’s something about . . . the Truth.
Father, we are dead without the Truth. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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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.
Into the Fire 