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10 Seconds from Glory

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From the time she was born, Lilly was immersed with the aspects of life identified by the fruits of the spirit. She learns patience fishing with her brother and father, love with her family and friends, and joy in the little moments of her life. But when her mother is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, she learns the true meaning of longsuffering as she waits patiently for the day when she can see her mother again in heaven. Throughout her life and well into her old age she encounters all nine fruits of the spirit in her selfless acts of friendship and family. She responds to each situation of lifeâs test and challenges with an emotional fruit. In the end she encounters the Holy Spirit which confirms her spiritual walk. As she responds to each test life throws at her, she is able to counter each challenge with emotional fruit and ultimately encounter the Holy Spirit and validate her spiritual walk. Join Lilly and author Crystal N. Flanagan on an inspirational journey of love, family, perseverance, and a discovery of what is possible when you are Ten Seconds from Glory.

160 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published October 19, 2010

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Crystal Flanagan

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Profile Image for OOSA .
1,802 reviews237 followers
May 15, 2011
Life after Death,

"10 Seconds from Glory" entails one character, Lilly, and her battle with life and changes after death with the loss of her mother to lung cancer. Lilly goes from being strong to weak, young to old, and smart to wise. By the novel's end, Lilly is a new character that understands the true meaning of life, the "Holy Spirit." As life brings many challenges, we must either battle the challenges wisely or die trying.

Crystal Flanagan's "10 Seconds from Glory" is an inspirational and resilient novel that will help bring any reader back to life! It's easily relatable as many are affected by cancer today and its effects on the life of others that live on in its aftermath. I was motivated upon completion of reading this novel. I will continue to look for more novels by Crystal Flanagan in the future!

Reviewed by: Tekisha
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,073 reviews1 follower
March 4, 2011
Thank you to Ms. Flanagan and Goodreads for a free copy of the book! I really enjoyed this read.

The book is about main character Lilly and her journey through her life from young girl to retiree. The story is not chronological but is understandable. What makes this book so very special is how Lilly recognizes and defines the impact of the nine fruits of the spirit on her life through happy and sad experiences in her life.

I enjoyed Lilly as main character and the situations where she experiences the nine fruits of the spirit are realistic, giving hope in potentially gloomy situations.

This read touched me and caused me to evaluate how God has used situations in my life to teach me the nine fruits as well.

Profile Image for Becky.
253 reviews
March 5, 2011
Lilly is a woman who sees God's work in her life. Specifically, she sees the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. 10 Seconds from Glory is a journey of discovery to see what events in Lilly's life teach her patience, goodness, peace, temperance, faith, joy, love, gentleness, and meekness.

The style of this book is a little disjointed, however, once you adjust to it, it is a very interesting read. I would highly recommend not giving up on this book too early; it does take some adjustment to read, but it is worth it. I think the book gets much better as it progresses as maybe Flanagan becomes more comfortable writing.

I really like the concept of the book, because I believe it to be true. I think that anyone who pays attention will see that the Holy Spirit is working in their life to teach the gifts. Sometimes we are hard learners, but He never gives up on us.

I felt that Lilly is a bit flat as a character, but she is very likable. As we journey through her life, I keep wanting the best for her, but I also only see her choose the best. This is somewhat hard to read because I have never met in real life anyone who always takes the best option. Everyone makes mistakes in life (ALL have sinned), but that portion of Lilly's life is not reflected in this book. Very often, God uses our sins to teach the lessons of life, and it would have been nice to see that fact reflected in the book.

I do like that Flanagan does not dump info, but we discover different parts of Lilly's life as the book goes on. I was surprised to find out who the main characters in the chapter on gentleness are, as this is almost the end of the book, but it is a refreshing surprise in the book.

I received this book in a first reads contest.
Profile Image for Steve.
82 reviews2 followers
February 21, 2011
I enjoyed this book, for those that read reviews then the book, hang in there, it starts slow and each chapter jumps from one scene to another, for me it took a couple of chapters to pick up the flow of the narrative.

Crystal has written a tale about a great truth in the bible, and hope for each our lives.

But the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance against such there is no law. Gal 5:22-23


I received this copy from Crystal in a goodreads giveaway, Thanks Crystal for the book and tale on living in the fruits of the spirit

1 review1 follower
April 13, 2011
Sharing memories of her childhood, Lilly, displays how it has affected the spiritual growth into womanhood. The fruits of the pure love are ripened through each chapter as a rich history is unveiled to the reader. Crystal Flanagan manages to grow the temperance and bond between the main character and the reader and develop it into a spiritual epiphany.

Personally, this book has enlightened me to take a second look at reaffirming my devotion to allowing Christ in my life. I feel fortunately that I was selected as one of the individuals to receive this book through the Good Reads giveaway.
Profile Image for Jessica.
2 reviews
August 17, 2011
As a first time writer, Crystal told a great story. In moments in the book, it evoked strong emotions for the reader. I think that the style in which she chose to write is unique. I grew to appreciate the flash backs to Lily's childhood because it was a bridge to Lily's lessons as an adult. I think it is a true Christian perspective showing that when we trust God, things do work out and we learn a lesson. Lily's journey in learning the fruits of the spirit reminds me of life. As children we never really understand things but it is through going through life and learning lessons that we are able to put the pieces together as Lily did.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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