Book Thoughts

She Speaks is three weeks away (insert Charlie Brown noise here!); I've been busy preparing my two talks and working on my book proposal. Apparently it's more important to have a decent proposal than a completed book, so that is where I've been focusing my attention. To share with you, I am trying to write a book that would answer some of the hard questions a person might have before they can trust Christ, all done in a conversational style. I would value your feedback...is this something that would intrigue you? I've been asking people what their "issues" are/were, and gotten some good replies. Think back, if you would, if you are in a relationship with Jesus, what scores needed to be settled before trusting Him. If you aren't currently in a relationship of trust with Jesus, what are your questions?

 My goal in this book is to make Jesus as real as He actually is, through using the Bible to provide His answers. Jesus is the Truth, and the Truth will set us free. Here is an excerpt from the chapter on confessing sin:

Confessions

“Hello…?” He called into the empty room. “Is anyone here?”

I dragged myself into a chair, not meeting His gaze, shameful memories overtaking me. “Hey.” I mumbled, voice shaking with unshed tears.

“I thought we were meeting today. What’s going on?"

 “Lord, there are some things You don’t know about me, things I did before I knew you.”

“Well,” He chuckled softly, “I am quite familiar with you, actually. Before you say a word, I know it. I wrote all of your days in My book, long before you existed. So, yes, I do know a thing or two about you. We should talk about a few things, though, ok?”

Chagrined that I wasn’t hiding anything after all, I nodded humbly, trying my best to blend into the upholstery.

“Why did I come down from Heaven?”

By rote I quoted John 3:16 “For God so loved the world. . .” I stopped as He held up His hand, light showing through the nail hole in His wrist.

“You. Start again, please.”

With a sigh, I began again. “For God so loved me, He gave His only begotten Son. . .You, Jesus, He gave You,” my voice catching in my throat as the truth of these words settled on my soul, “so that everyone who believes in Him…in You, will not perish but have eternal life.”

“You need saving. Your sins, big and small, separate you from God, from Me. I did not come to condemn you, but to save you. The Father and I knew that you couldn’t get to heaven without Me, so I came for you. When you confess your sins, which just means agreeing with me that what you’ve done is wrong, and repent, turn away from those choices, I will forgive you and make you clean. I will not bring up those things again. You have My Word on it. So . . .,” He said, drawing out the word, “Where do you want to start?”

Though the anvil on my conscience made it hard to breathe, I spoke of my past, of the hurtful things I’d done, the sins I’d committed. The longer we talked, the lighter my heart became. My tears changed from tears of shame and remorse to those of gratitude, for the mercy He showed me. “I was afraid You wouldn’t want me anymore, wouldn’t love me,” I whispered, “If you knew the real me.”

“Tell me that verse again, would you?” He asked with a twinkle in His eye. “The right way.”

With a sheepish grin, I proclaimed, “For God so loved me, He sent You, so that all who believe in You will not perish, but have eternal life.”

References: Psalm 139, John 3:16, Psalm 65:3, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 103:12

Leave a comment, or if you prefer, email me privately with your thoughts. Thanks!

 dgiese85@gmail.com