LORILYN ROBERTS BOOK REVIEW: “The Power and the Glory,” by Graham Greene

 

I initially had a tough time getting into this book—couldn’t find anything to enjoy about it. I came to the conclusion about midway through The Power and the Glory that this wasn’t a book to be enjoyed. It was a book to ponder deeper meanings of faith, politics, humility, commitment, sin, and consequences.

The protagonist, the priest, who is never named, is the only priest left in a certain state of Mexico where priests have been outlawed. He has spent the last eight years running from the police to evade capture. He is an imperfect archetype of a savior/martyr, haunted by his past failures and yet still struggling to remain committed to the priesthood. 

The priest is a conflicted individual, but his character grows; at the beginning of the story he tries to escape on a boat, but at the conclusion, he goes back to the state where priests have all been shot. Knowing he will be caught and killed, he returns to hear the confessions of a dying murderer.

There were many characters in this book representing “types,” such as the antagonist, the lieutenant who hated the clergy; and the mestizo, a type of Judas. The many children represented hope, as poignantly shown in the final few pages when the young boy lets the priest into the house to hide him from the police. I most identified with the priest and his internal struggles. Greene did an excellent job of showing the priest’s outward struggle to avoid capture as well as his inner turmoil of sin and unrepentant spirit with reference to his illegitimate daughter. All the characters were real, deep, and memorable.

The takeaway from this book to help me be a better writer includes:

            1. Make every character in the book count for a purpose and a deeper meaning than just “another person” to fill up the pages.

            2. Include qualities even in the antagonist that make him a sympathetic character—the story will be more believable. No one is all good or all bad.

            3. Be willing to tackle a controversial position—a protagonist that is severely flawed and that falls short of the standard can still be redeemed, changed, and become a hero.

            4. Think of ways to use people or animals or locations to enhance symbolic meanings that grow the story. For instance, the priest’s fight with the dog over the bone; the references to the dentist’s equipment and working on teeth;  the numerous beetles bashing themselves against walls—symbolizing pain, the fight for survival, the baseness of human depravity, and loss of dignity.

            5. What you write will linger later in the mind of the reader—shine a light of hope; i.e., the priest who knocked on the door and was met by the young boy.

            6. Not all books are to be necessarily enjoyed, but perhaps serve a greater purpose. Do you want to only entertain, or are you willing to probe the deeper meaning of life and leave the reader with significant ideas to grapple with and ponder?

 

 

 

GUEST POST BY JOHN 3:16 NETWORK: “What’s in the Name of the Hebrew God?” Book Launch of “Four Given,” by Malo Bel

 

 

 

“I enjoyed his writing style! This book is a page turner and tells quite a beautiful story. I would definitely recommend it!” A. Kingsbury

 

The mystery of Godliness and life eternal are hidden in the most sacred place of all, in the holy letters that define God. A mystery so divine, so life-changing, so real it is embedded in the essence of every human being. A mystery that charts a divine path to God, a journey that once undertaken will bring you to a place called eternity.





Join me as I share my journey, as I am led by Him on His path. This is the mystery of Godliness and life eternal, and I never would have seen it had he not opened my eyes. Take the step of faith and your eyes will be opened to see inexpressible things. Take the step of faith and discover life eternal today. Take the step of faith and discover the beauty of this divine path hidden right before you. Take the step of faith and you will never be the same again. I did and that is why I must tell my story.

GUEST POST BY PAMELA CARMICHAEL: Excerpt from Award-Winning Book “Financial Empowerment: Realign Your Finances to God’s Will”

Two Practices to Effectively Create Wealth

Work is a priority for God and should be so for us as well. If we want to achieve success, we need to embrace God’s perspective of work as our own. With this as a starting point, our goals should be to know and function by God’s working standards while creating wealth. Our attitude toward work and how we work are of equal importance to God. Therefore, we should be aware of His principles and practice them if we want to succeed in creating wealth.

Work Diligently

While growing up, my mum encouraged me to work hard. Today we are told to work smart, not hard; however, God’s Word encourages us to work diligently. We are expected to do the work and stick to it until it is completed; we should not consider giving up along the way. The book of Proverbs says much about being diligent and often draws a comparison between the hard worker and the lazy person.

Poverty is not a gift from God but the result of our actions. The actions of a lazy person will never lead to wealth. Lazy people are fearful of stepping out to do something and think their excuses are justifiable, yet they would rather relax or sleep than work. The lazy one never completes tasks; even feeding himself or herself proves to be a problem.

Success in creating wealth is linked to being a diligent person. The price we gain for being diligent workers is riches, while the price we pay for laziness is lack (Prov. 10:4).

To be diligent in our work is not only financially rewarding but also personally satisfying (Prov. 13:4). When we are diligent and do excellent work, our performance makes room for us (Prov. 22:29). We are promoted, our work speaks for us, and prominent people want us to work with them or for them.

While having a day job, my friend started a jewelry-making business. She was very diligent at promoting her business and creating excellent pieces. This diligent work paid off, and some of her pieces were present in major shows across the country. This exposure made her become well known and sought after.

Regardless of your social status, educational level, or skill set, God wants you to work diligently. If you desire to create wealth that provides more than enough for you and your household, you will require diligence. No dream becomes a reality without lots of diligent work (Eccl. 5:3). If you work diligently, you will be one who rules and enjoys great blessings in life. The wealth of those who are lazy will be transferred to those who are diligent (see parable of the minas, Luke 19:13–26; parable of the talents, Matt. 25:14–29). Promotion and financial increase come to those who are diligent workers.

Go the Extra Mile

In today’s society, some find that doing more than is required is unappealing. Many want to receive maximum reward for minimum effort. Some want to get all they can for as little effort as possible, but success cannot be achieved in wealth creation or in life without putting in extra time or effort. Jesus said in Matthew 5:41, “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” Jesus calls us to walk in the extra-mile mode or to go beyond the call of duty. As Christians, we do extra when we give up our personal rights sometimes and give away more than someone asks for.

With work, as with giving or lending, we should be extra generous. We should do what is expected—and then more. We need to remember that in whatever work we do, we first and foremost do it as unto the Lord. If our mind-sets are such that our work is for God, then going the extra mile shouldn’t be a problem.

So what is the extra mile? It could be working longer hours to finish a project on time. Maybe you do a task that is not normally part of your regular duties, or maybe the extra mile is helping a colleague with a challenging project. Whatever the extra mile may be for you, it will require more of your time, effort, energy, or expertise than usual.

I have gone the extra mile many times. On occasions I worked late hours to resolve issues so staff could start the next business day without delay. Other times I worked at home during evening hours to complete projects within specified timelines. Sometimes going the extra mile is necessary, and other times it is simply part of being who we are in Christ.

But what will be your benefit if you go the extra mile? I think the main benefit is that it glorifies your heavenly Father. Sure, you may receive a promotion, get a raise, or be acknowledged or appreciated for work well done, but no reward speaks louder than glorifying God. In the midst of giving glory to God because you do great work, going the extra mile opens the door for you as a witness of Christ.

You can pick up your copy of Financial Empowerment: Realign Your Finances to God's Will here.

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LORILYN ROBERTS BOOK REVIEW: “Treasures of Darkness,” by Trish Jenkins: A Beacon of Light on a Dark Street Corner Near You

A Beacon of Light on a Dark Street Corner Near You

For anyone who wants an amazing book, you should read Trish Jenkins’ story, Treasures of Darkness. It’s a memoir about her prison journey – and to me, it seems allegorical about life. Matthew 24:12 says in the last days, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” In the end times, much of what Trish endured and experienced in prison will be the norm. We are headed there now, like a frog that is slowly brought to the boiling point unawares—the dysfunctionality of our country, the threat of war in the Middle East, and the compromise in morality on many fronts. 

When you think of anti-Christ – the opposite of Christ—in order to survive in prison, the guard and other inmates try to break you and convince you that you are no different from the others and your faith is the problem. They attempt to pit you against your convictions by flipping your world upside-down – seeing Trish throw her pearl (Jesus Christ) before swine was heartbreaking. What would I do if I found myself in a similar situation—would I have the courage of my convictions? Would I be willing to pray for those who wanted to hurt me?

I will let you read Treasures of Darkness to see what Trish’s story is about and how she landed in such a horrible place. Think of working for someone like Bernie Madoff unawares and getting in over your head – it could happen to any of us. Trish’s testimony and how God used her in the lives of her prison mates left a lasting impression on me—one of those books that will stick with me for life.

I am reminded of the words spoken by the 1600th-century evangelical preacher and martyr, John Bradford, “but for the grace of God, go I.” Would I be able to endure this trial and still love my Lord and Savior, not the same, but even more? You won’t see your relationship with God or the opportunity to be a shining beacon despite persecution or hardship in the same way after reading Treasures of Darkness.

To  purchase, click here on Amazon

LORILYN ROBERTS BOOK REVIEW: “Getting Out of the Bed in the Morning,” by Author Alice J. Wisler

 

For those who'd rather stay in bed, put this book on your nightstand and read it. As a Christian sojourner, I have walked my own Via Dolorosa. I couldn't imagine during my lowest moments that anyone would understand my pain or sorrow. I would cry myself to bed at night poring over the Psalms, the only book of the Bible that I had the strength to read.

Getting Out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache will help anyone who loves deeply and grieves deeply. If your pain is so overwhelming that you are having difficulty coping, get this book. God won't abandon you, but having resources to help you through your sorrow can be healing and comforting. I wish I'd had this book to read. I found myself remembering - memories I had actually forgotten, which is a good thing, but without God's healing on my heart, I could have been stuck without experiencing God's power to overcome that pain.

Getting out of Bed in the Morning will help anyone who is struggling to get beyond the pain - anyone who wants to give up, or sees no reason to go on living. There can be nothing more painful than losing a child, and while I haven't experienced that, I have come close, walking a road where I wasn't sure of the outcome, and I have lost others in my life through death and divorce. Grief has no preferences for status, race, or gender - it visits all of us at some point. Getting Out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache will help you to transform your hopeless grief into grief that will bring healing.

I highly recommend Getting out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache to anyone who is suffering now, to anyone who might suffer in the future, or to anyone who has suffered in the past. Wherever you are on your own Via Dolorosa, you can be encouraged and reminded by Alice J. Wisler's Reflections of Comfort in Heartache that God is faithful, no matter what. Hearing it from someone who has walked that difficult road and loves God, even more, is a gift worth reading. 

Get your copy of Getting out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache here from Amazon: http://bit.ly/get_out_of_bed 

From Alice J. Wisler:

"For over twenty years, I've written for magazines and devotionals. Writing is what I love to do.

I also travel the country and teach Writing the Heartache Workshops at seminars and conferences. I'm a big advocate for writing through sorrow. I founded Daniel's House Publications after the death of my four-year-old son Daniel in 1997. Helping others cope with grief is important to me.

My days are spent writing novels, blogging (I have three blogs), reviewing books, writing for a variety of magazines and websites, crafting my two newsletters, and teaching grief-writing courses both online and at conferences.

My five published novels are: RAIN SONG, HOW SWEET IT IS, HATTERAS GIRL and A WEDDING INVITATION (all by Bethany House) and STILL LIFE IN SHADOWS (River North).

My devotional, GETTING OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache(Leafwood Publishers), is my tribute to my son Daniel and in praise of a God who sustains us on our journey.

In addition, I've taught English as a Second Language in my birthplace of Japan, worked as a social worker, a cake decorator, and taught English in a refugee camp in the Philippines. I was an office manager at a non-profit for education and worked at a portrait studio.

Specialties: I can sing Go Hiromi's "Otoko to onnanoko" at any Karaoke event. I enjoy creating Asian dishes in my kitchen. Most of all, I enjoy conversations over cups of hot Earl Grey."