Magnolia is a 32 year old female who was recently asked to lead the congregants of a growing church in Memphis, TN. She thought she'd be happy but as soon as the words, "We want you to lead..." left the mouth of Senior Pastor, Lucas Carrington, fear set in.It isn't fear of the position because Magnolia has been under the leadership of Pastor Carrington for five years. It isn't even fear of being the church's first woman pastor. Her fear is the secret she's carrying.The secret ... Magnolia is being chased. Chased - pursued in order to catch.Magnolia is being chased by the demons of her past and it is the one thing she can't get away from. No matter how much she prays and fast or the many times she lays on the altar, she cannot outrun it. But she's tired. Tired of running but afraid of being caught. Will Magnolia finally surrender to stop the chase or will her fear be too hard to face?
Lakisha Johnson, native Memphian and author of over ten titles was born to write. She’ll tell you that “Writing didn’t find me, it’s was engraved in my spirit when I was created.” Along with being an author, she is an ordained minister, co-pastor, wife, mother and the product of a large family.
She is an avid blogger at kishasdailydevotional.com and social media poster where she utilizes her gifts to encourage others to tap into their God given talents. She won’t claim to be the best at what she does nor does she have all the answers, she is simply grateful to be used by God
I received a KINDLE copy of this book from the author, and the following is my honest opinion.
I believe in reality many of us reading this are like the book’s protagonist, Magnolia, in so far as we got some sort of “demons” lurking somewhere in out past, demons which we carry around as some unwanted baggage. And try as we may, no matter what we try to do, there’s no escape from that baggage.
Unfortunately, given she’s now being asked to become the first woman pastor of her church’s congregation by its Senior Pastor, Lucas Carrington; she’s under the impression she needs to maintain a higher level of decency than the other members of her church. This is in spite of the fact Pastor Carrington has overseen her tutelage of the past five years. And because of this, the greatest fear she possesses involves her being found out as not being as righteous as everyone assumes, she is. Now, honestly, wouldn’t you feel/act the same way, if you happened to be in her shoes
I believe all of this anxiety is consuming Magnolia so much that she, in my opinion has forgotten about two biblical verses, viz:
1 Peter 5:7 [ESV] Casting all your anxieties on Him, because he cares for you.
Philippians 4:6 [ESV] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
What is Magnolia going to do in the end: Will she forego becoming the church’s first woman pastor because of her fears of being found out? Will she surrender and allow her demons to be made known as part of a confessional to her congregation?
For having given her readers, as well as myself, a heartbreaking book which communicates at different levels depending on who an individual is, I’ve given the author, Lakisha Johnson, 5 STARS for her endeavor here.
Title: Chased Author: Lakisha Johnson Publisher: Twins Write Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: Five Review: "Chased" by Lakisha Johnson
My Opinion:
"Chased" was a beautifully told story of how one can let the past dictate one's future. There is a God that can break this chain as it did for Magnolia, who had been through so much and was seeking a way out of it all. It was so wonderful seeing Magnolia breaking out of the fears and trusted God in her situation. Being chased by demons from one's past and not being able to outrun them, what would Magnolia do in this situation?
The story can bring one to tears as it all comes out what all Magnolia had gone through. I loved how the black rose, which quite an interesting plot, brought out what needed to be said and done about that situation. This story will definitely bring encouragement for a believer, especially one who may feel that one's past is too horrible to get over. It was good to see Magnolia getting the help she needed in her life from a therapist, the circle of family, and friends.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who will see how one can break away from one's past secrets.
This book was inspiration. Oh my to know you are a woman who grow up in foster homes where you were rape, abuse and neglected. Pastor Magnolia was only 17 when her mother died of drug overdose. She was from one foster home to the next . She work at restaurant where she was rape by her boss she stab him and run. Pastor Alexander took her in, she became an associate pastor. All was well until Pastor Carrington promote Magnolia to senior pastor. The decons get so upset they start to write false information on her in the church paper's. Anyways Pastor Magnolia and her daughter prevail and all who try to take her down end up behind bars for fraud. Because it was not their story to tell. Good read. Love it.
Chased... I want to say thank you for sharing such a beautiful story that many of us today are fighting. A lot of us don't know how to stop running but you made it plain you showed us the ends and out with scriptures. I know many people have felt like God wasn't there and let these things happen. But boy are they wrong God was there all the time and that's why that thing didn't kill us. The characters in this book was awesome and I love the love , Kai had for her mother. Magnolia went through so much pain and endured so much but God had a calling on her life and I'm so glad she is finally free. I loved everything about this book I laughed, cried and prayed. Once you pick it up you won't put it down.
The book allows a glimpse into a flawed yet redeemable lives of Christians and the church. Many people villainize the church or put it on such a high pedestal that regular people want nothing to do with it.
Johnson does a good job of showing the frailty of humans as it affects every day life while keeping the reader engaged.
She incorporates real life issues into fictional characters that allows readers to see that no matter your position in life, we have struggles and choices. The problem is not with God or the church but with humans and what they chose to do with their free will
Lakisha Johnson is really beginning to be one of my favorite authors. She continues to entertain while sending a message in her writing. In this latest book it takes you on a ride inside yourself and has you wondering if you could get through half of what Magnolia went through without losing your mind. This was definitely a well written book that kept your interest and made you want to face your own demons. I’m looking forward to the next great read from this author.
Have you ever felt paralyzed by fears from your past that you feel like you cant move past. Magnolia has had such a tough life and feels as if a curse runs through her family and doesn't want the same outcome for her daughter. As God prepares to elevate Magnolia into role of Senior Pastor her fears becomes stronger as well as the devil playing his cards. Will she be able to fight it off and take back her power and life. This is a great story of overcoming your past and moving into your greatness.
I feel a blessing every time I read one of Ms. Johnson's works. She writes like she's been through some things, seen some things. She writes like she knows the power of prayer. She writes like she experienced the power of God. She writes what's real and what Christians go through. Her stories are tremendous, heartbreaking, victorious. But I think I always look forward to the prayers in her books. Truly a gifted, anointed woman of God. Thanks for another powerful read.
It took me longer than usual to complete this book not because it sucked but because I saw so much of me in the character Magnolia. I have been mad a God for a long time, I question everything and instead of a generational curse I felt I was just cursed. I have had opinion to also reach out to Lakisha and guess what she replied. And, her inspiration and guidance gave me what I needed to figure out what I was running from and if I too was tired of being chased. I love forward to reading more of her books. Definitely gave it a 5/5.
Another amazing and inspiring sermon ( book). Again, consider adding counsellor to your I just of professions. I am strengthened with each book that I read. God is freedom from fear and He will use the weak to confound the strong. Magnolia states. I'm encouraged! Although I do not or have not been abused, I am still working to be free from fear. I look forward to reading your next books and series, "Broken" and "Shattered 2" are on my shelf. Keep writing and inspiring.
This was a great read about generational curses and strongholds. Many people have struggled for years with this and I am glad this author has written about this. It is very interesting how she brought out about addictions. Many think of addictions as dealing with drugs and alcohol but its deeper than that. I enjoyed reading the story of Magnolia and the steps it took for her to be released from her stronghold.
This book will go down as a classic. It was my first time reading a novel by Lakisha Johnson and it was well worth the wait. The story was full of hope and yet still delivered a heart touching tale. Lakisha's character Magnolia Reeves was real (beware of some language) and at times over the top, but I understood the narrative. I would recommend this story to anyone who wouldn't mind an outstanding down-home reality show in words. ((The right kind!))
I have read so many of Lakisha books, and every last one of them has a meaning! What I got out Chased was sometimes you have to break the generational cursed of the past, if not it will continue to hunt each generation of your family. Lakisha once again you have out done yourself and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you! Such a blessed and talented author!!!
I have this story 5 stars because I felt the words and the characters depicted real life situations that people go through. But most importantly the author through scripture shows us how God will never leave us.
I finished the book thanking God for His faithfulness and love and thank you Lakisha for taking us to a place where we can find God and His redemption. Continue to serve and write words to bring His love for us in books that we can relate too
I couldn't put this book down until I had finished it.
Wow! This book was amazing. As I read the story, I began reading the scriptures, praying the prayers, and before long this became a real encounter and not just a story. I cried along with the characters and deeply felt the pain. This book truly ministered to me and with each word from God spoken through various characters, I was rejoicing. This one is a must read and I've already shared as much with my family.
This was another great book from Lakisha Johnson. Magnolia reaves is running from her calling all because of what she feels os a generational curse. It started with her mom and now shes trying to let it end with her. Read the book to find out if she succeeds.
Magnolia is a young woman that was asked to lead the congregation since Pastor Carrington will be leaving. Magnolia has been under the leadership of Pastor Carrington for five years. Magnolia is being chased by demons from her past and can’t outrun them. Magnolia had a smart 13-year-old daughter who believed in her mom and had faith. Awesome read.
This book... My God this book. I am having a hard time articulating exactly how I feel about this book. It spoke to me on a couple of different levels I didn't even know I needed to spoken to about. It's been some time since a book has brought me to tears but this one has. This is a must read.
We all have a past, but will we let our past dictate our future. Chased is the perfect example of how we allow our past life to dictate our future. But God!! A well written story about facing your fears and trusting God in every situation. Lakisha has become one of my favorite authors with her stories that are so relatable.
It is not often that you can read exactly what your spirit yearned to hear. This book encouraged me as a believer. Maybe not with the depth of the abuse, but identified with Magnolia. If any reader needs to see for the first time, or be reminded of what endurance can reward.... Read this one!
This book was not exciting. It didn't keep my attention. This women had a terrible past.She just couldn't let go and let God.It just keep dragging along through the whole book. When this book end it was a blessing. I would recommend this book to anyone that has a bad past.It will make you come to grips with it .
I truly enjoyed this book, I have read other books by this author and i always enjoy them. The story line is great and very believable. I enjoyed the encouraging prayers. I got a lot of good vibes from this book. Prayer is the key faith unlocks the door that can help you get thru. Ms. Johnson keep writing stories and I will keep reading them. Thanks...
Excellent read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Magnolia was an anointed woman, with a past that could have destroyed her. She had the support and encouragement of her small circle of family and friends. I especially liked her daughter Kai and therapist Dr. Mitchell. I recommend this book.
This book had touched my soul and the prayers are so so meaningful and helpful. Could not put this book down. Awesome, awesome, awesome reading. God's blessings always upon you!!!! Keep the books coming and I shall keep reading them! These are books that need to be shared with all women.
Boy, Lakisha this is my favorite book yet. You really ministered to my soul with this story. Generational curses are real. Until you surrender and ask God to show you how to trust his word and stop running from yourself you will never beat the devil at his game. This book , I am so sure helped someone out of their lowest place. Praise God for you
Very good read as Magnolia's life went through changes she didn't think she could handle. Powerful & encouraging scriptures filled the pages during her journey. Her daughter Kai was needed in her life as she was an intelligent & knowledgeable young lady.
Lakisha Johnson is my favorite author. She’s gifted and obviously anointed to write books. I loved everything about this and I truly am an avid reader. Every book gets better and better!
This story tells of God's Calling and the struggle of fulfilling your destiny. Fear of failure, your past, your future, your life can cripple you. But this story of tragedies can be transformed into triumph with God. Wonderful!
This was a story that focused on the power of prayer, as well as the power of the Holy Spirit in helping us to walk in freedom from our pasts. I believe it will serve as an encouragement for believers everywhere who feel like their past is “too bad” to share, or “too difficult” to get over.