Finally Friday

 

It’s been a while since I have actually purchased a book from a favorite Christian author and sat down to immerse myself in the historical journey of a character in the time of Christ. There aren’t too many authors who can take me into that time period and make it real enough to have to look out the window occasionally to make certain that I wasn’t in Samaria or the Kiddron Valley in 30 AD. When I went to my favorite Christian bookstore to pick out a birthday gift from my granddaughter, I wasn’t planning on purchasing a novel for me. But if any of you know me, I can’t resist. I love bookstores.

As I walked the aisles, I noticed a few of my favorite writers. Quickly checking each of them out to see if I had missed anything they had written. Wow! How do writers put out so many full-length novels in such a short time? It use to be one every couple of years. Trust me, I remember waiting on Francine Rivers to finish her Mark of the Lion trilogy. I read each of them as she finished them. It was torture, but I waited with excitement until I got the news that she had finished book 2 in the trilogy. Nowadays, you barely finish one and the next is already out. I have to admit that I read a lot of my books on my Kindle or Amazon (only because it’s cheaper and spending $25 on a book that you find you really don’t like, is a bummer, plus it takes up space on your bookshelf that could be saved for a really great book).

Bodie and Brock Thoene have been long-time favorites of mine. A husband and wife writing team, they are amazing researchers and sticklers for correct detail about Biblical history. There imaginations and creative ways they tell a story gets me caught up in the emotional events of each character and plot, every single time.

The Zion Chronicles were the first series of books I read by the Thoene’s. I actually read the entire series again years later out loud every evening to my husband. His eyesight was bad due to diabetes and he loved hearing me read aloud for him, so that was one of our special evening rituals. After the Chronicles, came The Zion Covenant and the Zion Legacy and finally the Zion Diaries. What a great series! High five to the Thoenes. Lots of happy memories during those years that I was caught up in Mosche Sachar’s story. I learned almost everything I know about Israel and the birth pains it has gone through during the early Biblical times, and through the Holocaust and becoming a state, through the Thoene’s writings. I knew the history of Israel, but never the emotion. It is an amazing series if you ever get a chance to work your way through it. Not only is it educational, but it’s great story-telling.

Francine Rivers is another one of my favorite Christian Fiction authors. That’s never been a secret. Her trilogy, The Mark of the Lion, is, hands-down, some of the very best writing I have ever read. It’s the first time I actually felt what the character was feeling. It’s the first piece of Christian fiction that I actually was moved to tears and made a re-dedication to the Lord at the end to be better, live more faithfully, stop complaining and love others more and to be more thankful.

In The Mark of the Lion series, the main character, Hadassah, is someone you won’t soon forget. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve read the series, I am touched and better by it every single time. Ms. Rivers has a gift of being able to draw the reader into the life of the character and move you to want to change. You want to be more. I don’t really know how to explain it, but after reading many reviews over the years of Ms. Rivers books, most reviewers make the same comment of her writing. I cannot speak to every single one of her books, as I haven’t read them all, but the ones I have read? They are inspiring.

I didn’t intend for this posting to be an “author review” yet as a fellow writer/author, I always want to let the experts know how much they are appreciated.

Ted Dekker, as many of you know, is another one of my favorites in the Christian Fiction genre. He is completely different in his writing style from the Thoenes or Ms. Rivers, but I love variety. Ted wrote a series many years ago called The Circle Trilogy. I have never known quite where to place Mr. Dekker’s books as far as genre goes. The Circle Series probably fits under Christian/Science Fiction/Fantasy style genre. That’s a mouthful, I know, but trust me, he makes it work. I’ve always loved the idea of time-travel anyway, so when you read the series, you’ll understand what I’m referring to. It is exciting, thrilling, heart-pounding story-telling at its best. The types and shadows of what Christianity truly means are woven all throughout the series. Ted has a style uniquely his own. If you have read any of Dekkers books, you know that they can be terrifying at times. He is one of those creators that knows what demons are out there in the universe trying to bring down anyone who proclaims Christ as their king. The battles we fight are not ones we can see with our eyes or touch with sword or weapons, but the battles that wage are ones in the spirit world. After reading Dekker, you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the devil is real and his demons are not stopping until the final battle when God’s army wins!

Ted Dekker is a lot like Frank Peretti. Talk about not being able to sleep! After reading “This Present Darkness” and “Piercing the Darkness” from back in the ’80s, it wasn’t easy walking amongst people without seeing in your mind the evil spirits that could easily take over someone’s life. Mr. Peretti and Mr. Dekker truly know what spiritual warfare is all about. Scary for sure. I slept with the nightlights on for a long time. (typically I turn them on during the day and off when I’m sleeping…I know that’s weird, but it’s what I do. Can’t sleep with ANY light. Of course, I haven’t read a Frank Peretti book in a long time.)

Joel Rosenberg is another favorite author. Also different from the other four, I’ve mentioned so far. Mr. Rosenberg writes up-to-date political thrillers, Bible prophesy, Middle East politics, etc…Did I mention THRILLER? Wow, he is one of those writers that keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes your jaw drop. He is what I call a “fact-based fiction writer.”  He takes his “series” books very seriously! “The Last Jihad” series was my first taste of Rosenberg. What an amazing way to get to know an author. I was hooked.

The “Third Target” series has a main character named J.B.Collins, who is an award-winning journalist with many issues. His life gets thrown into a conspiracy that could tear down the Middle East many lifetimes to come. Trust me on this…it’s pulse-pounding excitement. Even more so, when you read about it in the news and wonder if its fact or fiction. I’m a fan, can you tell? Can’t wait to read his newest, The Persian Gamble. The second book in the Kremlin Conspiracy series.

As you can see, I have a wide variety of authors and genres I enjoy. I listed the favorites in the Christian Fiction arena since I prefer filling my mind with entertainment that has Christian values and foundation.  I won’t lie though…I do have a few favorites that do not fall under “Christian author”. Dean Koontz, Dan Brown, Diana Gabaldon, Jane Austen, Alexandre Dumas, Jack London, Emily Bronte, and Lucy Maude Montgomery! Just to name a few. I’m certain there are more, but for now, I will end on this.

Reading a good book brings me much joy. I don’t get to travel much anymore, nor have I experienced certain things that I wish I could, so reading about it, keeps my mind sharp, clear and full of wonderful imaginations. I feel like I’ve climbed Mount Everest and built the ancient pyramids. I feel as though I was the child who found one of the ancient scrolls and hid it safely away so years later it could be written in the Bible I carry today. I think in another life a very long time ago, I stood in the Roman coliseum with other Christians waiting for the lions to attack us while singing songs of praise.  When I read, I experience what courage is, what love is, what fear feels like and what wonders this world has. I learn that the things that are written of in the Bible are being experienced right now in my time. When I read my Bible, I know that I am loved, protected, provided for and that God’s grace is sufficient for me. Words are powerful. Both written and spoken. They can change people for good or not-so-good. They inspire, encourage, warn or educate.

In closing of this long posting (I can hear you sighing thankfully right now), I just want to say that when you realize how powerful words are, it lays a huge responsibility on our shoulders. I pray that the words I speak and the words I write will always bring inspiration, encouragement and eye-opening moments of clarity to everyone my words touch.

I had no idea when I started this post, that I would write over 1600 words. My editor would call it “good practice.” I pray it was something more.

Just thinking out loud