A committed Christian sifts through the conflicting pressures applied by work, family, the church and his own conscience in search of a Christ-like response to one of the world’s most hotly debated sins. Putting that response into practice, though, will test his faith in ways he never imagined.
How does a terminally curious child who grew up relishing books about inventors and scientists, and made engineering and computers his career choice, end up in mid-life as an author of Christian fiction?
It took many years, but I finally realized the allure was story. The creative exploits of Edison and Ford, the heady accounts of space exploration and medical marvels ... well, it drew me in like a magnet.
Light bulbs and penicillin were not simply made, but rather born of struggle, inspiration, passion, and sometimes even Providence. The characters weren't perfect and faced multiple obstacles in their quest to do something special. In the end, the story was often as profound as the discovery or achievement itself!
This same intrigue trickled over into my faith as I recognized similar themes throughout the Bible. Already an avid reader, I decided to answer an innate call and learn more about the writing craft. I joined the Jerry Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Apprentice program. A portion of the curriculum challenged students to outline an idea for a work of fiction. Before long, I penned the story that became my first novel, Working It Out, which addresses a controversial, but timely, topic within church circles and society at large.
A few months later, the second fiction manuscript, More Than Sparrows, took shape as I helped edit my church's monthly newsletter. Contributing several feature-length articles each year causes me to look at the church office with fresh appreciation. It gives me a bird's eye view of unsung heroes and often thankless work--a real slice of life in a busy hub. Above all, it avails me of opportunities to better appreciate the various journeys taken by God's diverse children.
Yes, More Than Sparrows is seasoned with the divine ingredients mentioned above. Church, in front or behind the scenes, is where I find inspiration. It's not uncommon to catch me on stage for a sober drama or wacky VBS skit. It's often a family affair. I've been married twenty-eight years to my better half, Melanie, and reside in Indianapolis, IN. God blessed us with one son, three daughters, two cats, and just enough energy to keep up.
I totally sympathize with Jacob, the main character, as he is pressured to go along with his company's new policy, with everyone assuming that he has no problems with the moral aspect. I squirmed along with him as events spiral more and more out of his control, placing him in the center of a controversial battle that could cost him everything he's worked for. While Jacob believes that homosexuality is indeed a sin, he questions how his fellow Christians respond to it. An unlikely friendship develops, forcing Jacob to decide where he should draw the line between God's judgment on sin and God's love. The characters are well-defined and likable, and the book presents several different viewpoints about the divisive subject of homosexuality without compromising the Bible's stance on it. A very well-written book that promotes Biblical truth without being heavy-handed or preachy. Definitely recommended.
I don't ask others to agree with me on this issue, and this author doesn't. That having been said, it seems that he has wrestled with it at some length--and not just for writing this book. I think we could probably be friends. Well-written with a lighter touch than usual for the topic. Jacob took a while to lose the arrogance that seemed too much a part of his way of interacting with the world, but thankfully he finally did. I'm glad he saw through Robert's facade before it took him in a direction he didn't really want to go.
Christian fiction touching solidly on the sexuality diversity issues, well enough written to let the reader experience the tensions in each character as the plot unfolds.
Initial pages didn't set well with me, and I gave my read 20-25 pages as a litmus test. It was well worth the investment.
The characters are well enough developed that wherever one is personally in respect to the core issues explored, that the writer's workmanship will stand out.
I gotta tell ya. I really liked this book. The subject is definitely a hot controversial subject, having Christians up in arms as to how God would have us behave. God's message though: LOVE. Simple as that. Without which, I'm just a clanging symbol -- a bunch of noise.
This is a book that made me 'feel" and isn't that what a book should do? Make one feel? I definitely felt anger: "Where was God's love?"
Christians can claim to be Christians all they want; It should not, however, be at the exclusion of others.
Go Jacob! Though I wasn't on board with his overall stance.
How does a certain position make a Christian any different than taking part in any other holy war? Don't say it's in the name of God. My God is love!