http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G44NCvNDLfc&feature=player_embedded
Our Lord God Almighty, please help us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Way back in 1964, if I’m not mistaken, there was a film titled “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”. The movie played in downtown Seattle at the brand new Cinerama Theatre which presented it on a huge screen with exceptional acoustics—everything new and outstanding in the realm of watching movies. Supposed to be a comedy, the film showcased a parade of great comedic stars/actors, and although there were multiple funny lines and a few slapstick segments, I found the movie would’ve been better served by this title: “It’s A Sad, Sad, Sad, Sad World”.
Today I find the world has indeed gone mad . . . and it is sad. And not very funny.
It seems very few people can look objectively at people or events anymore. Personally, for those in the family who are mourning the death of longtime Senator Ted Kennedy, I understand losing loved ones. There can be no denying that family members and friends experience such a heavy loss and will no doubt grieve for some time. From a distance I can sympathize with those who loved him.
But also from a distance it remains a mystery to me how he can be exalted for what he stood for in his profession and in his personal life. The documented stories of the Kennedy men, including Senator Ted Kennedy, display a complete disregard for morality and decency within a family. “Camelot”? A legendary myth in the Kennedy clan, a myth so many embraced because of Jacqueline’s soft-spoken and fashion-icon genteel ways and two adorable children in the White House.
Ted Kennedy was a lush, a hard-nosed ball-breaker (forgive me if that offends you) kind of a guy who fit right into the progressive, socialist government that is being forced down our throats. Even though he was wealthy, he decried the wealth of others, loved taxing the people to the max to support his supposed wonderful causes, none of which have worked, and the scandals which lurked in his shadow got blown out like a short match. After all: he was a Kennedy.
I don’t feel good about his acquisition of and subsequent death from a brain tumor, but it’s no more grievous nor important than that of much younger author Kristy Dykes who passed away last year from the same kind of malady. Contrary to Senator Kennedy, she lived a fruitful life exalting Jesus Christ and doing her level best to serve Him to her dying day.
Everyone dies. Most of us die outside the scrutiny of the media. But when the media decides to make an idol out of a man, the truth of that life is passed over for some fabricated and heroic homage. I imagine to many people close to him Ted Kennedy was loved for good qualities. They will remember those in their times of grief as well they should.
This mad, mad, sad, sad world chooses to worship powerful men regardless of their character. They act as though certain people somehow acquire a godlike status and are worthy of every possible positive accolade. No one can replace them in their position or office.
But in the end—if never before—we die in equality. Whether it’s a brutal death in a third world country or an exquisite death in a prestigious family, we go into the ground or are consumed with flames or we are left to rot without consideration for our passing. Such is this life in sin. Eternity waits for us all. Every corpse will have an eternity.
The sins of this life are either forgiven by request or will await eternal judgment. A prominent death of a “great” person or a serial killer reminds us that death comes to all.
Pompous people die equally to humble servants. The ways and means of death make no difference. The condition of the soul at the time of passing determines our eternal existence. We can be so cavalier about eternity. Such statements and assertions of opinions of people make no difference in the end.
Only Jesus makes a difference in the end. The same choice throughout life demands a decision. Are you for Him or against Him? Covered by his sinless Blood or contaminated in the robe of sinful flesh? We choose. And no one can choose for us.
Father, we learn the pain of grief the longer we’re allowed to remain on planet earth. You are the Author of Life. Our days are numbered. And you are no respecter of persons. Thank you, God. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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One of the problems with today’s Christian is that he/she has forgotten the enemy of their souls. We all know this place called earth and the life that pulses through us is inhibited by evil. First of all, the very blood running through our veins is stained by sin. Corruptible flesh which decays in the grave because of sin.
The objective of Christianity is to love souls because we are all equal in this sin nature. We cannot save ourselves. The Savior of the world loves us all in spite of our tainted ways, our conflicted desires to pursue what pleases this selfish contaminated body and mind.
The avid fan of this sinful state works tirelessly to see that we are blinded, tempted, induced, imbibed, and coerced into making ugly decisions to indulge this flesh. To continue to say yes to what we know is wrong, hurtful, dangerous, and evil. Demonic activity tantalizes us by mixing truth with lies. The evil one sticks with this remarkable tactic since it repeatedly works in his favor.
So I wonder how you combat the enemy of your souls . . . Do you address the dark spirits as Jesus did and as He said we should? Do you ignore every temptation traveling at light speed into your atmosphere? Do you recite structured prayers and hope for the best? Do you actively rebuke the enemy of your souls when you either sense or observe his behaviors and influences taking place before or within you?
The wicked one knows how to play the game better than we do. And of course he presents our weakest areas to us when we are at our most vulnerable. A crafty enemy. Not to be ignored or taken lightly.
And yet we all do.
Why is that? Is it because the warfare is considered whacko? Is it because it isn’t addressed from the pulpit? Is it because we have decided either consciously or not that it’s unnecessary?
The spirit realm is active always. Supernatural events happen always. The spiritual realm doesn’t take a timeout. The evil ones are like hit men. You don’t necessarily see them until the wound is inflicted. Whether or not it’s fatal depends on your dependence upon the Great One who is greater than the entire army of demons and their leader.
Who do you depend upon?
Father, you are the power and authority. Every knee will bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God. Hallelujah. Amen.
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For those who have truly loved and lost, either by the end of a romance or the dissolution of a marriage or in catastrophic circumstances: the death of a loved one, there can remain a fear. The hurt is so intense we never want to experience it again. It’s crushing and stifling. Sets our emotional state back to zero and sometimes staggers our spiritual state of faith. Some blame the Almighty, accusing Him of not caring, of being cruel, of hating us enough to bring this sorrow which amplifies rather than ebbs for several long . . . well, times.
Enter Ty Buchanan, ex-high powered attorney who now practices out of his “residence” and at a coffee shop. I sincerely urge you to read this series from the beginning even though James Scott Bell has somehow managed to make each book a story all its own. It’s just that to effectively know and appreciate Ty, one must savor each stage of his character development, and the best way to do this is to start with Try Dying and to follow up with Try Darkness before stepping into Try Fear. Nevertheless, Try Fear gives us the ever witty, clever, caustic, courageous, and, yes, in his own way fearful Tyler Buchanan: at his best when he serves someone he believes in or someone who will be railroaded by the system of “justice” without his help.
However, it’s best not to cross Mr. Buchanan because he does not take kindly to being used. Especially when those who use his genius in court affect the life of someone decent, respectable, and loving.
Sister Mary Veritas who serves at St. Monica’s Benedictine Community in the Santa Susana Mountains where Ty stays in a small trailer since exiting his high-falutin’ days in a respected law firm, is receiving pornographic emails from a cyber stalker. Ty fights to ignore his attraction to the Sister who has yet to decide whether or not to become a full-fledged nun and who for whatever reason—most likely her association with Ty—is on the head nun’s “bad list”. Sister Mary wears a habit when she isn’t in sweats jabbing elbows at Ty in a game of one-on-one basketball on the small court outside Ty’s trailer. Her normal dress proves quite useful when Ty takes her along to investigate the particulars of whatever case he’s working. He’s discovered she has great skills in asking questions, getting answers, and finding unique facts pertaining to his investigation.
Ty uses an entrepreneurial inventor to assist him with magic gadgets in extreme situations, and he enlists the help of the man known as B2 to find the person sending vulgar threatening emails to Sister Mary.
When Ty is able to get a client off on a technicality for driving drunk, he clashes with the talented and beautiful assistant prosecuting attorney who decides she fancies him. Ty toys with the possibility of her charm and elegance, considering how life-changing a law partnership with her might be.
When that client is found dead in his apartment, his brother is accused of murdering him. The mother of the two men reminds Ty of his own mother, and he wants to do right by her.
Try Fear captures LA and Hollywood in all their glory, buffoonery, flash, and crash aspects. Pop culture mixed with savvy lawyering and crazy characters plus a skilled and beautiful attorney, a caring and lovely Sister, Father Bob who always tries to keep the peace in Ty’s reluctant soul by offering morsels of wisdom, and underneath it all the fear of investing oneself into something real and true . . .
You do not want to miss this series. You just do not. This is smack talk, haunting and insightful writing at its best. You will love these novels. You will laugh out loud. You will weep in brief places. I have loved each book. The ending to Try Fear is as noble and heroic as the best Hollywood has to offer. James Scott Bell was born to write this series. If you can, buy all three. If Try Fear sells well, there will be another one. If not . . . a terrible loss to readers.
Father, thank you for the stunning abilities of James Scott Bell. You use his talents in multiple ways. Please watch over Jim, bless his writing with your continued insights to the fearful souls of the lost. May he always glorify you in all he does. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Confirming why I no longer read secular fiction, I’m reading a general market police mystery because I won an autographed copy of the novel and so thought I’d read it as a “courtesy”. You know . . . I’m not shocked or even offended at bad language, but I’m just sick of “listening” to it.
Fairly frequently on various posts around the web (currently at Novel Matters), the language question/subject goes round and round. Look, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. As a Christian who writes, how you choose to write your story is between you and the Lord. You can argue pro or con for profanity, vulgarity, whatever. You can claim reality insists upon it—or not. Honestly, I really don’t care what you decide. As for me, I don’t want to read the f-bomb or s-word or the vulgar sexual references. I want to know if a character swears or cusses, but I don’t want to read the specifics. I don’t mind some sexual innuendo, but when it gets graphic or uncouth, not for me. I’ve lived it, folks, and I no longer want to participate. It’s ugly.
The story is entertaining and definitely a mystery. I still don’t know who’s really killed all the people, and I’m not too far from the end. The detectives are witty, funny, and intent on getting the truth. The writer has an exceptional platform, having written a previous novel besides being a screenwriter. However, this book is certainly no better and definitely not as good as many CBA novels I’ve read with the same types of characters and stories sans the graphic profanity and vulgarity.
So once again in this case: I don’t read secular fiction because . . . where is the redemptive touch? This isn’t to say there aren’t superb novels out there in the general market. Or that there aren’t redemptive messages in novels in the general market. This is to say I’ve found enough quality in CBA to keep me occupied for quite some time.
Just my thoughts . . .
Lord God Almighty, all I want to do is honor you. I fail and keep going. Any success is your doing. All praise to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Steven James is indeed a master storyteller. By trade. By profession. By calling. And this entertaining series featuring Special Agent Patrick Bowers gives this storyteller free rein to get thoroughly involved in his stories. You might recall my review of The Pawn disclosed a complicated and perhaps too ambitious plot. The Rook focused more succinctly on a primary antagonist, and a particularly creepy one at that. Now with The Knight we have a new precise, sociopathic, and convoluted killer, who calls himself “Giovanni”, orchestrating a series of crimes which end up reflecting or duplicating the events and murders from the pages of a 15th century book which was banned by the church, coinciding with the trial of a previously apprehended serial killer who asks Patrick Bowers to lie on the stand about an altercation they had at his arrest and who claims he has found Jesus.
Mixed up with these compelling and demanding circumstances are the attraction our protagonist feels for the female detective he’s working with again, his potential break-up with Lien-hua (an FBI profiler whose life he saved), his step-daughter Tessa’s reaction to her deceased mother’s diary which she begged to read and her subsequent actions, the intricate accomplishments of a killer who is always ahead of their efforts, and the eventual discovery that Patrick’s death is the final objective of this merciless murderer.
When Patrick’s boss, a female with whom he constantly feuds because of past conflicts, sends a profiler for whom he has little respect to head up this Denver investigation, Patrick pays scant attention to the cocky antics and questionable generalities he offers about the killer.
The intense journey to find the geospatial intersection between killer and victim takes almost the entire book, but when Patrick finally connects the dots, the full-speed ahead throttles up, and what has already been advancing in a steady and creepy way, explodes into rapidly repeating discovery.
Steven James created a likable, genius-type boy/man next door character in Special Agent Patrick Bowers, the thirty-plus widower trying to raise his teenaged step-daughter who at times seems older than himself. He’s yet to recover from his wife’s death, slow to re-enter the romance mode and uncomfortable in the process. Brilliant and focused during his investigations, it’s easier for him to be involved in the mayhem than in the everyday normality of life. Disinterested in God, although his mother is a Christian woman, he fights silent rage at the cruel injustices of evil people and life in general while maintaining a true sense of ethics when the rage doesn’t overpower him.
Fascinating stories with an entertaining writing style, Steven James delivers each new addition to the Patrick Bowers’ thrillers with fresh intensity, multiple conflicts, moral decisions, horrendous antagonists, and intricate details which send the reader down many dead-ends right along with Patrick until it all clicks into place for him.
The Knight takes us almost to a satisfying conclusion and then leaves us hanging on that proverbial cliff. Summer of 2010 seems much too far away and way too long to wait for The Bishop, the next Patrick Bowers thriller.
Available August 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Father, I would ask your continued blessing upon Steven James. You have given him unique storytelling abilities and I pray he would always use them for your glory. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which, I, Paul, have become a servant.
Colossians 1:23b (NIV)
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I’m one of the few who will press on through a novel I don’t like until the end. I’ve been considering whether or not this is because I’ve either signed up to review it so I feel obligated to read every word or because I’m obsessive and can’t justify quitting on a book. I haven’t decided why I’ve finished some novels.
I know it used to be because I wanted to give the author every possible chance to redeem the story. Now having seen that fail 100% of the time, I’ve learned that if I don’t like the book after I’m into it a ways, chances are (like 100% of the time) my conclusion at the conclusion will be negative. Thus far no author whose story I haven’t cared for after wading into the novel has been able to redeem him/herself. So. Not a good plan in reality to continue—other than to establish that either I will never buy/acquire another of this particular author’s tomes or I will just pass on this individual book because there have been others I’ve enjoyed.
Which brings me to the question in the title: Why do I choose a specific novel to read? Every reader started somewhere. Was it because of a recommendation from a fellow reader or friend? One who raved about a book and made it irresistible? Was it a unique cover design and the flipping over of that novel to read stimulating back cover copy? Originally, there had to be a first reason to dig in to fiction. I’ve been reading fiction as long as I can remember. And the only non-fiction I read usually resulted from a school assignment. Even now it takes a specific and immensely valid reason for me to read non-fiction. And I have no qualms about leaving non-fiction unread after several or even a few chapters.
It’s difficult to remember the initial draw to a novel. Now it’s rather simple really. Refined down to a practical science. Each month I receive a list of books offered for promotion from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. Pick out however many you want and review them on your blog—simple requirements. A great way to get books. A blessing in fact. I also get occasional requests from CBA publishers for particular books they are promoting, and their requirements are the same. Very cool. A simple yes or no, and the book belongs to you, or not.
Choosing the novels I want to read consists of reading back cover copy. Occasionally from publishers I get an attachment with more specific information about the release of the novel. Since I read very specific genres, it’s relatively simple to eliminate some right off the top. Then with what’s left I choose based on description of the conflict. If it sounds fairly obvious and I feel lukewarm about it, no thanks. If I’ve heard some favorable discussion about the writing in the novel, chances are I’m in—I want to evaluate it for myself if it’s getting some rave comments.
If I’m in the Christian bookstore, it’s a little different. Since I’m fairly well informed as to when my favorite authors release their latest novels, if I haven’t acquired them from the tours, I look for them on the shelves. And I’m extremely loyal. If I like an author’s work, I will buy it. And I will promote it. Selecting new adventures isn’t so easy anymore. I can say I rarely read any of the writing—in other words, I don’t open the novel—at the store to check out the author’s style. I read some, and usually not all, of the back cover copy to judge whether or not the plot interests me. Covers impact me—I love and am drawn to good covers—but they aren’t the only deciding factor.
Some people read first chapters standing there in the aisle of the bookstore and make a decision based on that. Not me. The simple blurb must decide for me. The less the better. I don’t want anything ruined by too much copy. So the first sentence, first chapter lingo that publishers push to hook and keep the reader interested, involved, or enticed does not apply to me. And, quite frankly, as a writer, I recognize it when it’s overdone. Some stories are not designed to open with a shotgun blast. Effective when appropriate but gimmicky when the story itself doesn’t support that kind of introduction.
How ‘bout you? Ultimately what is it that makes you pick up a novel to read?
Father, you know how much I appreciate your creativity exercised in people. Thank you that you are no respecter of persons. Thank you that we can each mean so much to you in unique ways. Thank you that we don’t have to earn your favor. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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I am not a fan of “green”. Unless of course it’s a pleasant forest green used in a fall clothing line. Don’t talk to me about “going green”, “turning green”, or “being green”. I think people have lost their minds.
Mercury in fish is supposed to kill you, but it’s perfectly fine in twisted (in more ways than one) light bulbs. Nobody in their right mind enjoys pollution. Yes, some factories, industries, and/or businesses contributed to horrible pollution because they refused to take precautions to eliminate or greatly reduce the pollutant they caused or produced in making products. Heavy fines. New restrictions and some lawsuits prevailed. Rightfully so for those knuckleheads.
But I must tell you that a great lot of this green garbage is not truth. Not even close.
Let me tell you a little tale. A true story, as a matter of fact. Said characters shall remain anonymous since the snitch czars probably monitor this anti-green dialogue.
Once upon a time there was a young man who grew up in the era of American muscle cars. You know what I mean: GTOs, Corvettes, Camaros, Super Sports, Saleen or Mach 1 Mustangs. You get my drift. Time passes. Years of atrociously ugly cars. Then after a period of time, fast vehicles start making a slight comeback. And lo and behold! Entering the mix is a hot rod pickup truck made by Ford and called a Lightning! A truck!
Young man became a responsible adult who drove a reliable and gutsy Ford 4 X 4 pickup truck which drove through all weather, hauled trailers full of horses without complaint, and was just plain awesome and useful. Ford 4 X 4 ages and now older man decides a little muscle would be too cool. Enter unique hot rod pickup truck made by Ford and called a Lightning.
Hidden under this Lightning’s hood myriad instruments and components make said truck go very, very fast. As in push the passenger back in the seat with head firmly planted against head rest fast. Fun thing about said truck: there are all kinds of after-market parts available to improve this already untamed speed! (You have no idea.)
Okay, so here’s the secret part of the story which could bring the feds down on this truck like Lightning fast. So pretend this information appears in a hushed whisper. Those particular parts known as catalytic converters which are designed to restrict CO2 emissions—there are four of them on Lightnings. They are unnecessary!! In fact, if you add expensive after market pieces to your engine and exhaust systems, you don’t need them! At all.
The whole goal of making an engine run “cleaner” and to burn fuel more efficiently depends on more AIR, not on these expensive filters and extra pieces tagged on to the exhaust systems. Give the engine more opportunity to “breathe”, and those additional “cats” can be eliminated.
Proof you say? This very, very fast Lightning passed the State Emissions Exam—and this is a direct quote from a somewhat surprised tester—“with flying colors”. Clean. Not “green”.
Just a little story for some of the old muscle car fans.
And for those of us who want to . . . well, you know . . . at the mention of “green”. Slime.
Father, much of this junk science comes from those who deny you, who cannot fathom that you keep this earth in play, that you decide when it ends, not the ignorant arrogance of mankind. Lord, forgive us for our folly. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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These are worthwhile reads:
http://chipmacgregor.typepad.com/main/
http://forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com/2009/08/why-faith-in-fiction.html
http://novelmatters.blogspot.com/
Father, bless these who contribute so much to your work in different ways. Be close to them and lift them up to fellowship with you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
