The Day Jesus Moved Next Door

by Sean Elliot Russell

In Sterling City, a spiritual battle unfolds. Darkness clashes ferociously against the brilliance of God’s light. Amidst the conflict, Jesus of Nazareth moves into the old farmhouse at 30 Summit Avenue. His eyes burn with intensity as He fights for those He meets. But the enemy is not happy.Frank Bruno, an agnostic jaded by life, faces the harsh reality of aging, unemployment, and eviction from his home of decades, accompanied by his feline companion Attack Cat.Delante Thomas, entangled in a dark world of drug dealing and gang associations, senses the hollowness within his heart and longs, against all odds, for a different path. Alyssia Long, his weary companion, desires to leave behind her party life and settle down with Delante, hoping for a brighter future together.Toby Garrells, nearing high school graduation, carries the weight of a hollow, powerless Christian life. He’s in a dead church, living a drab existence, until he discovers his neighbor, not from hell but from Heaven, moved in across the street.Married couple Tahmid and Tahira Akhand, deeply rooted in their religion, face an unexpected challenge to their lifelong beliefs when a strange man claiming to be the Son of God knocks on their door.And widow Miss Cahva Ayustine, isolated but apparently satisfied with her existence, bears the scars of a haunting childhood event. Will she live out her remaining years without discovering the belonging she unknowingly craves?As these lives, and others within the story, intertwine on Summit Avenue, Jesus ignites hope, pushes boundaries, and opens doors to redemption and self-discovery. Amidst the struggles and challenges they face, the residents find themselves on a transformative journey, but not necessarily the journey they'd like to take.Influenced by Joshua and In His Steps, this story and its people will remain with you long after you've finished reading the last page.

326 pages, Paperback

Published November 2, 2023

About the author

I write Spirit-Filled Fiction, stories that present God as alive, active, and powerful within the characters I create. I believe I tell stories that people relate to, and in a grounded fashion. I am learning as I go, and hope my stories will impact people, even those who have yet to meet the Resurrected Lord. *** I live in London, UK. https://www.amazon.com/author/seanell...

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book stirred something in my soul. I found myself in tears multiple times as well as breaking out into bursts of praise. The book is equal parts inspiration and conviction. It's the perfect reminder of the power of the gospel and the current weakness of the church. The characters are relatable. Their life struggles are real. The author's imagery of what we might see if we could truly see as Jesus sees is powerful. I will remember this book and its lessons for a long time.

[David Bergsland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Showing the reality of Jesus takes nerve

The wonderful result is a book that will have you in worship and in tears. The impossibility of completely showing Jesus gives way to the reality of Truth. And Jesus is truth.

A epnderful book, and a fun read.

[ReensReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and uplifting

What a beautiful and uplifting read! As a Christian, I have always wondered what it would be like to meet Jesus and this book brought a glimpse of that through descriptions of his encounters with different people where he moved in. Every person has their own struggles and skepticism towards Jesus but he is patient with them all and proves his identity by performing small miracles and listening to their hearts and prayers. Lifelong faith and commitment to God is full of challenges, and the devil often tries to lead us astray with lies, planting seeds of doubt and temptations.
This is such a moving story showing how every person comes to know Jesus and how he works to bring them closer to him, his lost sheep. A truly inspiring and beautiful story for believers and those seeking.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and Heartwarming Read

The Day Jesus Moved Next Door is a heartwarming and thought-provoking read. The story beautifully explores themes of faith and community, making it truly inspiring. It left me reflecting on my own life and relationships. Highly recommend for anyone seeking a meaningful and uplifting book!

[Steve Pillinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings the message of God’s love for ordinary people like you and me into a new and vivid context of modern everyday life. Anyone who has read the words of the Gospel in Scripture so often that they’ve started to lose their impact, will be struck afresh by the power of that message in the words and scenes of this book.

The Day Jesus Moved Next Door is an intriguing and challenging exploration of “What if…?”: What if Jesus were to be physically present for a while in our everyday circumstances? How would we react? Russell shows how a wide variety of people from different walks of life respond to the sudden physical presence of Jesus—of His love, humility, power and majesty; and how many are forever transformed by that experience.

Sean Russell has a great gift of bringing home spiritual truths in a strong but non-offensive way in the context of of a gripping story.

I strongly recommend this book to everyone who seeks to follow Jesus Christ in this day and age; and especially to those who may have grown jaded with the ‘sameness’ of the Christian message coming to them from other sources. God’s love is always new: and this book gives you His new wine in a fresh, new wineskin!

[Callie Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most moving books I have ever read!

Most people on this earth would react the way “the neighbors” did! “A crackpot” … “An actor” … “unbelievable… it just couldn’t happen!” But Jesus rose from the dead … think about it… is anything beyond him? No! But this book makes Him real. An incredibly insightful guess as to what Jesus’ personality might be! Some won’t like this… but let go of your doctrinal preferences and for a moment imagine it… how WOULD Jesus act? How would he dialogue with a street person … or a well-informed Muslim? Or … you? I cried thru this.. not because it was sad… but because I was that challenged to imagine… what would happen if Jesus moved next door … to … me?

[Marsha L. Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a refreshing point of view! That’s how I would like to have my Savior be if He moved into my neighborhood…though I am sure I would not handle it as well as did those in the story but then, Jesus knew exactly what to say and do to give them peace. I could identify with the characters and also with the situations they were in. Faith and trust permeates this book in a way that left me feeling welcomed and comforted. This book left me wanting more…in a good way.

[felicha s. pulliam-dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful way to show Jesus gives access to the Father for those who believe

Wonderfully written! Inspiration in a world that is lost. Makes your Spirit feel the light of the Lord and the love He has for us

[Rita Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

O my goodness. This is a powerful & beautiful book! I cried & I laughed all through this book. I was even jealous at times that I didn’t live next door to 30 Summit Ave! Bringing Jesus back to modern day times was a beautiful gamble. The rawness & realness of each neighbor & character was realistic & at times frightening.
I have just started going back to an imperfect church filled with imperfect people. Although I don’t believe in all the church practices like a fall festival at Halloween, I love the teachings & growing close to Jesus with other believers. I started reading my Bible 4 years ago & it has changed my life, my thinking & how I live. I can only imagine if Jesus lived next door to me. This book opened my eyes that I am to live my life as if Christ was my neighbor. Would I do, say, think & act the same toward people on my street if Jesus was my neighbor? Absolutely NOT!!
We are in a constant Spiritual Warfare & should put our armor on daily (Eph 6) & be ready when the enemy attacks us. These broken people had fallen into the devil’s hands but through Jesus they were healed. Frank was a grouchy middle aged man who turned out to be a beautiful character. I do have a question was he the toupee wearer???
I do hope Sam Elliot Russell writes another story about our Lord & Savior visiting us again!
Thank you for writing this book, it touched my heart.
This was truly a beautiful book & im sad I finished it. I want to live on Summit Ave!! ✝️✝️✝️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Nicole Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me the series THE CHOSEN. If you like that, you will enjoy this.

“Can you help me, Jesus? Maybe just a little bit of heavenly favor? All I want…all I need is a decent job.”

“You have my favor. And I will be with you through all your days, and you will have my perfect peace through all the tests you will endure.”

So many quotes that I related to. Especially in this season of my life. What I would give to sit down TALK to Jesus, have Him LOOK in my eyes and heal the pain. Like Frank, I’m facing an uncertain future. Plans gone like sand through my fingers. Mr. Russell does a fantastic job of evoking emotions that span the spectrum of humanity, doubt anger bitterness depression fear hate envy regret…all while showcasing the all consuming love of God our Father. He writes about ABBA in a manner that you really do feel as if He could move into your neighborhood. I pray we as believers will keep our eyes on Him and help push back the darkness with compassion, love and determination. The deceiver can only point to the past, our Redeemer gives us a future. Excellent story!

[Linda Deck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading your book. The way you portrayed Jesus came across in a real and believable way. I would find myself wishing He would appear to me in the same way only to remind myself He does everyday in the love of my family and friends, the beauty around me and the peace He gives me so freely. He is risen indeed!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Easy Read!

What an amazing imagination along with the scriptures to support this story! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. To have Jesus the Christ move next door and watch lives change with in a week’s time is miraculous and inviting. Definitely one to share and encourage others with. Enjoy!

[BOLA SODE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I liked that it makes Jesus practical in a day to day way to the people, confirming that He lived and felt like us. It makes the reaching out to us by the Lord such a real thing that we come to recognize Him even in the mundane. I would recommend it to everyone.

[Kathy Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

I enjoyed this book very much. The storyline was refreshing and I believe in line with the Word. Loved all the characters and how each one’s life was changed when they came to know and accept Jesus. I recommend reading this book.

[Sabrina Berkshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. It was amazing. I did not want it to end!

This book was a longer book, but I still wanted more pages. I wanted more stories. I felt like I was there being hugged by Jesus.

[S.campbell8655yahoo.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMEN and amen

Wonderful, inspiring and full of beautiful love. I hope to read many other book by Mr Russell. A page turner !

[Glen Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise for the book is pretty much summed up in the title. There have been other books written with the idea of Jesus appearing in modern-day, but most of the time, He takes on a modern-day persona and identity. This book jumps into the deep end, having Jesus show up in a white robe and long hair and beard in the middle of Iowa, claiming that he is the crucified and risen Savior. You can imagine how that goes over, especially in a middle-class suburb in middle America.

What really makes this story work is that Russell focuses on developing the multiple characters on one block of a subdivision and their challenges, their struggles, and the reality that they are confronted with that religion as we know it doesn't always address. The Jesus that comes to their block does address these issues, cares about them deeply, and ends up helping each and every one, and changing their lives in ways they can't imagine.

It's a story filled with conflict, both mundane and life-and-death, which makes for good reading, and the reader comes away both seeing that the Jesus portrayed here is more relevant than ever in this world, and that the mission for Christianity goes beyond just showing up to church every week.

This book is a must read for every Christian.

[Beauxeault · Rating 4 out of 5]

There have always been good-faith efforts to create "Christian" literature that nevertheless comes across as disappointing or even offensive to some readers because the protagonists are unrealistically "perfect" or the (often unrealistically black-and-white) conflict is resolved simplistically - stories that are too obviously not written about the real world in which we all live. Bono (the U2 lead singer) once said something like, "we need to stop trying to help God across the street like an old lady."

I am encouraged to increasingly find portrayals like "The Chosen" and this book, which unapologetically employ a full-bodied depiction of the glory and miraculous truth and implications of the scriptures, yet also are not afraid to depict even Christian protagonists as real-world human beings, and antagonists as nevertheless redeemable and sought-after by God. It may be possible to find minor nits to pick with any human-generated portrayal, but over and over while reading this book, I thought, "he knows the same Jesus I know."

I did encounter a few technical issues that would (should?) have been caught by a proofreader. I encourage the author to publish an updated, proofread, and corrected version.

I am interested in reading more from Mr. Russell.

[sandi pemberton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus, across the street? Really?

The thought of Jesus moving across the street peaked my curiosity and I needed to see where this went. The way the story went from person to person, and how Jesus handled everything so perfectly was well told. He didn't try to modernize Himself, He came as He was, accept or not. Not to get too wordy, I highly recommend this book. A very good story well told.

[Sandy Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Imagine Jesus living in your neighborhood

Good book for stretching the imagination. Uplifting, encouraging, full of stories of people meeting Jesus from all walks of life. In the midst of the fictional story, I appreciated how the author included real world experiences - crime, drug and alcohol abuse, war trauma - without getting too detailed. Safe for gentle souls. Reminds me of that series called Seeing Jesus, also on Amazon.

[Lynne Caputi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book inspires me to deepen my walk with Christ!

The idea that Jesus could physically move into a neighborhood is staggering! This book beautifully depicted what that might look like, and it can inspire anyone who belongs to Christ to move and live in the Spirit, accomplishing miracles in His name!

[michael hussey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very different type of read.

I’m usually a horror/ hit man/ monster book genre reader and who knows why but I decided to read this based on the reviews and they were right. It’s not for everybody but everybody should read it.
Refreshing is the word I’ll use but if faith needs a little something this is it.

[Dorie Dubbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read!

This is a book I would recommend to everyone. I could not put it down once I started to read it. It fit perfectly in my faith journey and satisfied a longing to better know Jesus and remind me of his work in the darkness of our world.

[rose letourneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Day Jesus Moved Next Door

I absolutely loved this book, every time Jesus smiled I did too. The characters were a mixed bunch and fun to get to know. This story does make you think about your own neighborhood, how to really know and care for others.

[Carol Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beautiful Supernatural Story

I loved the way the story explained the gospels and more in modern day circumstances and how well it revealed biblical principles and God’s love in sending his Son who died so we might live.

[Sharon Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story Makes You Think

Although the story is a stretch of the imagination, it does give a Christian much food for thought! I recommend it!

[SUSAN SKOGLUND · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story full of wonderful lessons!

[Anita O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

What a story! The author really gets you thinking about your commitment to the Lord! It was difficult to put down. I didn’t want it to end.

[Teresa Wickstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommended

Thank you, Sean Elliot Russell, for sharing our Lord with us so beautifully! Praise God, I felt His love as I read this marvelous book.

[Laura Stubbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, uplifting read

What a lovely way to strengthen our faith? Have Jesus move in next door and watch the amazing changes! It is one of my new favorites!