"My Father's House, a novel" - by Rose Chandler Johnson - Enjoy This Short Excerpt

Chapter One

“Go on, Darling, and see about the colt,” I said.

He stirred a cup of steaming coffee, and then handed it to me. When my hands wrapped around the warm ceramic mug, he leaned down and gently pressed his lips to my forehead. I closed my eyes, grateful for his touch.

“I love you,” he said, while taking me by the shoulders and gently pulling me into the circle of his arms. I laid my head against his chest and felt its rise and fall.

“Go,” I whispered. “I’m going to take a walk and look at the gardens.”

He rubbed my back in wide slow circles.

“I’m grateful she died in the spring,” I said.

“I know,” he said. “I won’t be long. I imagine I’ll find you sitting under the magnolia when I return.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I’ll join you there,” he said.

I followed him out onto the porch and watched him walk to the truck, stop, and turn. He fixed his gaze on me, and I knew he didn’t want to leave. I smiled then, and he nodded before getting in and backing down the driveway. He waved, and something about his smile and the gentle blue of the sky strengthened my heart. I watched him disappear down the street before I turned and walked back inside.

Yesterday we buried the woman who raised me, tethering my heartstrings to both heaven and earth. Full of simple goodness, her love never let me go. She wanted to be buried next to her husband, and so she is, and before we lowered her body into the red Georgia clay, we read the 23^rd Psalm. The words flowed like a soothing balm.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

This morning the words are whispering to my soul, and I can’t help remembering.

*~*~*~*~*

You can connect with Rose Chandler Johnson on Facebook at 

www.facebook.com/rosechandlerjohnsonauthor

and blog at

www.writemomentswithgod.blogspot.com

Twitter: @rechanjo 

To purchase My Father's House: A Novel, from AMAZON click here

Rose Chandler Johnson's award-winning devotional journal, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments released in July 2013 from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Her devotions, poems, short stories and articles have appeared in numerous publications over the years. My Father' House is Rose's first novel. Rose has lived near Augusta, GA for the last twenty-nine years. For the last twenty plus years, Rose has been a French and English teacher. Currently she is an adjunct English instructor at a technical college. Rose enjoys baking, gardening, and spending time with her six children and their families. Another devotional is in the works and another Southern lit novel.

A Life Transformed, Memoir by Sana Edoja.

I (Lorilyn Roberts) have known Sana Edoja for several years and am glad she wrote her memoir to help others. Memoirs are powerful, and I look forward to reading hers.  I hope you enjoy this short excerpt.

STRUGGLES

Going through tunnels,

I can’t see the light.

Surrounded by darkness,

who will save me?

Who will say,

This is the way; walk in it?

Who will hold my hand

to tame my fear?

Who will even say?

It’s over. I am here,

to be your guide.

From beginning to end,

Earth to Heaven.

I will never leave you, nor forsake you!

Island of plenitude,

Encounter with the light

is what I desire

most in my life.

The fields are white to be ripe.

My Savior has come.

My struggles are over.

I was born into a modest family in France. My dad is French. He is a non-practicing Catholic. He was baptized as a baby and received his First Holy Communion. Catholicism was practiced as my grandfather was Protestant, and my grandmother was a non-practicing Catholic. My grandmother was very strict; when her children misbehaved she used a whip. They lived in the countryside near a small village called “Saint-Léger.” My dad and his siblings dropped out of school at the age of 12 to work in the fields to earn wages for the family.

A few years later, my dad travelled to Morocco where he met my mum; they married and moved to France. They lived in Toulouse, the south of France where my dad worked as a builder. Later on, he trained to become a quantity surveyor to provide for our family. My dad was exhausted when he came home from work and barely spent time with us.

I was the eldest of five children (three girls and two boys). He always wanted to watch the news in silence on TV before going to bed. He would only intervene in our upbringing if we needed to be disciplined. He rarely asked us questions about school or life. On a few occasions, he would take us on bike rides and to the fair, but he usually only played with us on Christmas Day. He never had time to develop a proper relationship with his children. I saw him just as a disciplinarian. My parents usually sent us to summer camps on holidays.

My mum had been a primary school teacher in Morocco who taught nine and ten year olds. She had four brothers. Her dad worked in a factory, and her mum raised the kids at home. Her father was also a disciplinarian. Her younger brother used to misbehave. One day, her dad hit him on the arm so strongly causing him to bleed. The wound became infected, and he died at a very young age.

My mum’s uncle controlled the family’s decisions. Children had to financially support their family. My mum’s wages were shared between family members. She wanted to work in research labs, but her family forced her to become a teacher. Her uncle was a tailor; he made the uniforms for the Moroccan army. He made my grandma sew a few uniforms, but he hardly paid her. My mum had to dress poorly because she had to give most of her wages to her family.

This caused strife in the family. Her father performed a lot of Moslem rituals in order to please his Moslem god. My mum described a family environment of strife, poverty, violence, oppression, greed, stinginess, and unhappiness due to money issues. My mum’s dad used to beat his children when they misbehaved.

I concluded that there was a lot of unhappiness, poverty, and violence in my dad’s and my mum’s families. I now understand why my siblings and I had a harsh upbringing.

From a very young age, I longed for a better world, one filled with angels, peace, and love. Deep inside, I always knew that Heaven might be somewhere, and I wondered how to reach it. I believed in a better life after death, free from oppression, fear and suffering.

Disappointed by the world around me, I desperately needed to find meaning and decided to search for the truth. I tried all sorts of things to make my life better. I went as far as doing things like making a wish when losing an eyelash, reading my horoscope, and visiting fortune-tellers. The predictions turned out to be all lies—not one of them has come to pass. The most amazing thing is that none of these practices were able to tell me that I would one day have a personal encounter with the God, who would give meaning to my life.

I remember coming back from school, completely depressed. I had enough of my family and the cruelty at the hands of my classmates. I lay on my bed, crying and thinking about going to a better world with angels. I wanted my life to end on that day. I managed to pull myself together when my sisters came home from school.

I enjoyed scaring my sisters and brothers by hiding in their cupboard. One day I even scared my dad by hiding in the dark as he came back from work. He didn’t find it very funny and scolded me by telling me it was very dangerous, and that I could cause somebody to have a heart attack. Scaring my family was a way to bring a bit of fun in my life, to forget my own problems.

One day, I hid in my bedroom cupboard for a game of hide and seek. Unfortunately, my dad saw the door of the cupboard wasn’t locked properly, and turned the key to lock it. I’m grateful that my sisters came home. As I shouted for help, my sisters heard me and opened the door. Maybe I was looking for help and didn’t really want to die.
I enrolled at a university in France in business administration, which I found extremely boring and a waste of time. I chose this path for the sake of achieving something, but did not really know what I wanted. Most of the things I had wished for, such as a career, a boyfriend, a loving home, and friends, had not happened. I was so unhappy that I often thought about committing suicide. Life at home was very tense because my parents were always arguing. I had to find a way to get away from my depressing life.

To learn more about Sana, you can visit her website by clicking here.

To purchase A Life Transformed on Amazon, click here.

He's Still Working Miracles: Daring To Ask God for the Impossible - New Release by Dana Rongione

Guest Post by Dana Rongione

The Bible is full of the impossible. The parting of the Red Sea. The crumbling of Jericho's walls. Jesus walking on the water. A multitude being fed with one boy's lunch. A Father sacrificing His own Son for fallen mankind. And now, Christian author and Bible teacher, Dana Rongione, wants to take you on a tour to explore what God has done, what He's capable of doing, and how He works in the lives of His children.

Each chapter of He's Still Working Miracles highlights a story in the New Testament where an ordinary person met an extraordinary God and gives application of how these encounters relate to your own life and circumstances.

You are not alone in your struggles. You don't have to face your heartaches alone. Call out to the One who cares. The One who can make a difference. The one and only God of possibilities.

In this book, you will:

·      Learn to identify miracles in your own life.

·      Understand how to apply the principles of Biblical miracles to specific circumstances that the Bible doesn't address.

·      Discover compelling reasons why keeping the faith is so difficult, yet imperative.

·      Be encouraged and inspired to stay on course with God for years to come.

·      Glean valuable insight from each story's unfolding and conclusion.

·      Learn how to pray and accept God's will in every situation.

·      Find the answer to the question, “Does God still work miracles?”

It's time to lay your questions and doubts to rest. The God of yesterday is the God of today. He is still watching. He is still working. And He is still doing miracles.

Limited Time Offer:

Sign up to receive a free Kindle copy of the book on launch day, August 9^th.  http://stillworkingmiracles.weebly.com

Book Excerpt:

The Overlooked Miracle

When you hear tales of miracles, which ones do you hear most often? Water into wine? Healing of the blind and the lame? The raising of Lazarus? Feeding of the 5,000? Walking on the water? Let's face it, when it comes to miracles, there is certainly no shortage in the Bible. Story after story. Verse after verse.

But I often wonder how many miracles are there that we pass right over. I can personally think of one that I missed for years and years. In my defense, this miracle follows on the heels of another miracle, so I think that for many years I was so enthralled with the one that I didn't even notice the other. Look with me at John 21:3-11.

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 

As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

I believe we're all familiar with this miraculous catch of fish. The disciples fished all night (the time when fishing is best) and caught nothing. Jesus gives a simple command, and boom, instant fish. The interesting part is that within that miracle is another miracle that teaches precious truths that we all need to be reminded of from time to time.

In verse 6, the Bible tells us that the disciples were not able to draw up the net because it was so full and heavy. To further illustrate the point, it goes on to tell us that they had to drag the net alongside the boat. According to verse 2 of this same passage, there were seven disciples aboard the ship. Seven strong men could not lift the nets out of the water. Pretty clear picture, huh?

But did you notice that when Jesus directed Peter to bring in the fish they had caught, the Bible says, "Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes." 

Simon Peter, one man. Not all the disciples. Not a few of the disciples. Not Jesus, the God-man. No, just Peter. In that moment, Peter could do what the seven of them could not do earlier. How is that possible? Well, I think there are a couple of answers to that question.

First, Peter was out fishing in his own strength. He had given up on the Lord. His return to his job as a fishermen was basically his saying, "Well, that fisher of men thing didn't work out like I planned, so I'll just go back to what I know." But that wasn't where God wanted Him. I think Jesus intended to show Peter (and us) that when we act in our own strength, our efforts are in vain.

Second, I think Jesus was reminding us all that He will give strength when strength is needed. In the midst of the most dire circumstances, Jesus can give strength to move mountains. If God calls us to do something, He will always equip us with what we need to accomplish the task. No matter how small or great the task may seem, His strength is always sufficient.

Another interesting thing I see in this overlooked miracle is Peter's response to the Lord's command. We all know Peter, right? The one who's always sticking his foot in his mouth. The one who always has something to say. That's the Peter we know, but this Peter has changed. When Jesus gave him instructions, Peter obeyed. He didn't comment. He didn't question. He didn't complain that it was impossible task. According to the Bible, he didn't even give it a thought. Jesus said to do it, so Peter did it. I believe there was no doubt in his mind and heart that he could do what the Lord had asked of him.

How much better off would we be if we would learn the lessons taught within this miracle? (1) Stop acting in our own strength, and walk in His strength instead. (2) Where God guides, He provides. If He's called us to do something, He'll give us everything we need to accomplish the task. (3) When God gives us instructions, follow them without question or complaint, believing that with Christ all things are possible.

*~*~*~*

About the Author:

Dana Rongione is the author of several Christian books, including the highly-praised Giggles and Grace devotional series for women.  A dedicated wife and doggie “mom,” Dana lives in Greenville, SC, where she spends her days writing and reaching out to the hurting and discouraged.  Connect with her at DanaRongione.com, and be sure to sign up for her daily devotions.

Readers' Favorite Book Review of "Unlocking The Truth of Daniel: Digging Deeper Volume1" by Laura J. Davis

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Unlocking the Truth of Daniel: Digging Deeper Volume 1 by Laura J. Davis is a surprisingly powerful and instrumental work that will be invaluable to many when it comes to understanding scripture and translating it into real life and in prayer. 

The author skillfully takes readers on a step by step journey through the Book of Daniel, a book she considers to be both “historical and prophetic.” In the introduction she declares: “We will look at it verse by verse, making use of why, when, where, how, what, and who questions.” Volume 1 in the Digging Deeper Series, this book is a great tool for rediscovering God’s word in human history. 

Laura J. Davis possesses the wonderful gifts of clarity and a wisdom that can only be attributed to long years of drinking from the fountain of God’s word. In beautiful prose, she leads readers into the heart of the message of the Book of Daniel, a book laced with symbolism, insights, and prophecies. She combines her knowledge of history and scripture to offer interpretations, insights, and facts that will help readers understand God’s plan for their life. 

Each chapter is designed with questions that provoke reflection and prayer. No matter what readers’ interests are, they will find themselves cogitating on the passages as they read this work, plunged into the inscrutable workings of God’s grace and immersed in a consciousness that allows them to understand God’s will for them and to embrace it. 

Unlocking the Truth of Daniel is one of the best companions for those committed to staying close to God and receiving His word with generosity. It is, to say the least, a wonderful invitation to a God-centered life.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON BY CLICKING HERE

Another Brilliant Addition to Roberts' Seventh Dimension Series

Wakulla Book Review

Seventh Dimension – The Castle, a Young Adult Fantasy

Summary:  Another brilliant addition to Roberts’ Seventh Dimension Series. The saga continues with Daniel on his quest seeking answers to the truth. Daniel witnesses betrayal, crucifixion, and learns of the resurrection—all while learning who he really is and “why him”?  But don’t worry. Roberts doesn’t disappoint in The Castle either. She’ll leave you hanging again for the next book.

Author Purpose:  Roberts’ message is clear in that all should come to know Christ. While persuading the reader on this, she also challenges one to [examine] Scripture to back it up. Nice work!

Author Theme:   A journey to discover truth

Thesis:  Our Father doesn’t want any to perish. We just have to believe. Have faith. Make the right choices.

Author Stance:  The obvious one is the belief in Christ while showing the major crux in the Jewish believers between the Orthodox and the Messianic.

Enjoy:  Can we speed up The City A little bit? I’m dying here. Love this series.  Thank you.

Top-Rated Wakulla Book Reviewer

To purchase Seventh Dimenison - The Castle click here

*~*~*~*

I want to personally thank all the men who are reviewing the books written by JOHN 3:16 AUTHORS. I am thankful that we are able to bless them and appreciate the encouragement given to us by their reviews. 

Each WEEK (usually on Tuesday), we are posting reviews from 

Wakulla Correctional inmates of John 3:16 books. 

Inmates are loving the new books from John 3:16 authors. 

Chaplain Steve Fox is adding the new books to the prison library in this initiative to "change lives to ensure a safer Florida."

John 3:16 Book Review of "Who Told You That You Are Naked" by Guy Right

John 3:16 Book Review by Lorilyn Roberts

Recently I found myself depressed over events that had caused me a great deal of grief—events that I did not cause, but which greatly impacted my family. While I knew God wasn’t the culprit or inflictor of my torment, because I couldn’t do anything about my situation immediately, I found myself depressed.

I woke up early and couldn’t sleep, so I took a trip to Perkins and began reading Who Told You That You Are Naked? Three hours later, after several cups of coffee, I had devoured half the book and my whole perspective on suffering was radically changed.

I was captivated by the depth and fresh approach to the content that is deeply rooted in Scripture and liberally quoted, the insights provided by the author, and the supernatural way God touched my heart and restored hope that my situation would change.

We all long to experience God in a vibrant way and more effectively live the Christian life. Can we do it with more joy, more freedom, and more truth? After reading Who Told You That You Are Naked, I found myself praising God that I was worthy to be His follower, and I wanted to count my suffering as all joy, remembering the Apostle Paul and his friends had once encountered a similar experience when thrown in jail for a crime they didn’t commit.

Who Told You That You Are Naked is a profound read, casting light on areas that can be hard to understand. The concepts of law and grace, curse and redemption, and Satan versus God in the Garden of Eden are explored. Even Job’s sufferings are explained in a way that is satisfying. As a Christian, I had always struggled with that particular book and why Job suffered so much.

Despite my depression, God lifted my spirit and showed His love and goodness was greater than anything the evil one could throw my way. I highly recommend Who Told You That You Are Naked for anyone going through a tough patch or for anyone who longs for a deeper understanding of God’s unmerited grace.

*~*~*

To Purchase from Amazon, Click here.

Christian Fantasy Author Lorilyn Roberts: Has Your Experience with CreateSpace Been a Positi...

I am cross linking this since I posted it originally to the wrong blog.  My bad, but this an excellent question, and I hope new authors (and seasoned ones) find this helpful.



Christian Fantasy Author Lorilyn Roberts: Has Your Experience with CreateSpace Been a Positi...: Recently, I received this question from William Burt, a YA Christian fantasy author , and a member of the John 3:16 Marketing Netwo...

Summer's Winter by Robin Johns Grant

Summer’s Winter

Robin Johns Grant

Jan 2014

Inspirational romantic fiction

Story Merchant Books

ISBN 978-0989715430

buy on US Amazon
UK Amazon
Canada Amazon
Australia Amazon

US$2.99 eBook

US$12.9 paperback

When Jeanine finally connects with film star Jamie Newkirk, the object of her obsession, will it be a dream come true? Or will she be pulled into his family's nightmare of secrets, control, and death? 

At age ten, preacher's daughter Jeanine fell in love with young movie star Jamie Newkirk and the character he played--Danny Summer. Jeanine believed God Himself promised Jamie would be part of her life--that he would rescue her from boring rural Georgia. But eleven years later, she's graduating college and about to settle into the dreary nine-to-five life with no word from Jamie or God. 

And then Jamie bursts into her life in an amazing way. There are plans to resurrect the Summer series of books and movies, and Jeanine is right in the middle of it all. Jamie seems to be falling for her, just as she'd dreamed. And yet... 

She never expected all the dark undercurrents. Jamie is hiding out in Georgia following the suspicious death of his former girlfriend. And isn't it odd that he found his mother dead of a supposed suicide in that same house two years before, and that both women had the same strangely-shaped burn on their bodies? And who knew there would be so many sinister characters involved in Jamie's life, and in the Summer series? There's his young co-star, Charlie--the Summer author died in an unexplained fire at his house. And Jamie's stepfather, Elliott, and uncle Richard seem to be in a vicious competition for control of the Summer series and of Jamie's life. 

Jamie is obviously hiding things--about his family, about the deaths of his mother and girlfriend. The media and the public have declared him guilty. Jeanine longs to prove his innocence. Unless she can, Jamie's dark secrets may shatter her dreams, her faith--and her life.

My review

I love Grant’s way with words and her sense of story. It’s not breathless when it doesn’t need to be, and gradually sets up story in a way that’s a luscious down comforter and not a bumpy, worn blanket. Since reading Jordan's Shadow, I knew Summer's Winter would be just as good.

Young Adult fiction can cover a great deal of circumstances and settings, but the genre involves exploration of self, growth, and a lot angst getting there. Skillfully melding twists and romance, blurring the lines between bad guys and good, and identifying and taking responsibility for bad behavior without glorifying it, Grant has published a great story about a young lady with gifts on a sure path guided by the only One we can truly trust, and her obsession, a movie star from another continent portraying a beloved character in a series of motion pictures. While Jeanine may not truly believe that she’ll receive the longings of her heart, she has a firm foundation that the Giver of all good things has a plan for her.

Within the realm of believability, the movie star, Jamie, comes from a similar-enough background to feel guilt over actions he controls, as well as events that he cannot influence…or can he? It’s this sense of responsibility that bring Jamie and Jeanine together, yet keep them frustratingly apart.

Told in multiple points of view, Summer’s Winter is a story will keep readers of romantic young adult fiction turning pages. Set in contemporary America, the story has a genteel feel, despite the despair and drug use and less savory actions hinted at behind the scenes. The characters are rich and multi-layered, adding a satisfactory denseness to the beautiful settings and even the less than beautiful events. Star-crossed lovers? Sure, but emotionally satisfying and with just enough questions left over that make me drool for a sequel.

About the Author

While waiting for her writing to pay off, Robin Johns Grant did a lot of crazy fan stuff and was way too involved with books and movies like Harry Potter and Star Wars, which helped her dream up Jeanine and Jamie for Summer's Winter.

With a degree in English and a mid-life crisis coming on, she returned to school and earned a master's degree in library and information science. She now has her best day job ever as a college librarian, which keeps her young by allowing her to hang out with students.

Robin was named 2014 Author of the Year by the Georgia Association of College Stores, and Summer's Winter won a bronze medal in the Romance - Suspense category of the International Readers' Favorite Book Awards.

Robin lives in Georgia with her wonderful husband Dave and formerly feral felines Mini Pearl and Luna. She is also surprised to find herself part owner of a sweet pit bull puppy named Pete who showed up as a stray at her mom's house.