“These are living conditions - the surroundings in which one exists from day to day. People find themselves in indecent housing for a number of reasons. It could be lack of motivation, lack of education or ability or just plain lack of opportunity. Offering a family a “hand-up” offers them the possibility of a better future – hope.
On the other hand, many people live in beautiful homes with lavish facilities and posh amenities. They spend their days making a living so they don’t have to worry about anything. Unfortunately, they end up not caring about anything either. Or, perhaps they suffered something at an early age that altered their way of thinking. They can’t care about anything so they won’t get hurt again.
These are conditions of living – examples of empty hearts and lives lived in vein. Their souls are as cluttered with cobwebs as the tiny abodes of the poor. They also don’t sleep well at night. They just don’t understand why. It’s hard to care about others when your entire existence is wrapped up in maintaining worldly success or avoiding emotion. No matter how hard they try they can’t seem to fill the void inside.”
Above is an excerpt from my newest Christian novel in progress, "The Condition of Living." The story line came as a vision; main characters, setting, plot. Everything rolled out in my mind like a beautiful red carpet and all I had to do was follow. That's how I know it was laid on my heart by God to complete.
A modern-day road to Damascus story, The Condition of Living is a journey that weaves in and out of situations surrounding three main characters, whose conditions of living are completely different. Still, they weave in and out of each other’s lives by masterful design of the great I am. Another major part of the story is the process of Habitat for Humanity and how the mission of this international, Christian organization affects both conditions. HFH is also a personal ministry in my life. I hope to use this novel as a medium to share and to shine a light.
You are invited to join me by traveling through the story as details emerge chapter by chapter. As we journey along, please interact by commenting on the characters, their descriptions, situations and possible outcomes. I want to engage the reader during this process in order to draw out their own vision - to create an awareness of their own condition of living and how God works in all lives, believer or not.
Chapter One
Protagonist, Paul Adherhold of Athens, Georgia, is introduced. He is a 30-year-old journalist, single and for some reason jaded to all things charitable. There are doubts as to his faith in God but there is no doubt in the devotion he established to his own individualistic way of life. His only companion is an Australian Shepherd named Ozzy.
Acts 8: 3 "As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison."
Yes, our protagonist is patterned after the infamous Christian persecutor in the years after Christ's resurrection. Saul never knew Jesus. He only knew that these new Christian followers made a mockery of the Jewish customs and beliefs. He, in turn, believed himself strong enough and determined enough to destroy all traces of this new church. Through the authority of Jewish leaders, Saul used every horrible means available while allowing his heart to harden with hatred.
As for Paul, he not only opposes any organization that touts helping others as a mission, he is also determined to change the mindset of the entire giving world. Help Yourself - period is his motto. He simply cannot envision any benefit from giving anyone anything.
“Nothing good comes from giving. One learns and appreciates so much more through the daily struggles of conquering on their own.” His platform of choice, as well as his career, is an opinion column in the local newspaper. Subscribing partly to the philosophy, “…teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime,” the cynical, young man has no qualms putting it all on the line.
Paul's boss at the Athens Journal is a tall, slender black man named Maxwell Jacobson. Max unwittingly encouraged the progression of his underling’s quest. The popularity of Paul’s column increased paper circulation and therefore advertising, which translates into profit. Popularity, however, is not necessarily a positive. The Athens Journal received daily letters and calls which spouted angry, as well as tearful, responses to the writings.
Max does some soul searching that causes him to consider his religious beliefs and to doubt his own motives and responsibilities toward others in this life – including Paul. What could create such a hard immoveable heart, especially in such a young person? And what about a mature person? Is it possible for someone to change their mindset and in fact their whole way of living?
Acts 4: 25-26 "Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ."
__________________________________________________________________________
I look forward to responses. Look for Chapter Two Blog in the near future…
On the other hand, many people live in beautiful homes with lavish facilities and posh amenities. They spend their days making a living so they don’t have to worry about anything. Unfortunately, they end up not caring about anything either. Or, perhaps they suffered something at an early age that altered their way of thinking. They can’t care about anything so they won’t get hurt again.
These are conditions of living – examples of empty hearts and lives lived in vein. Their souls are as cluttered with cobwebs as the tiny abodes of the poor. They also don’t sleep well at night. They just don’t understand why. It’s hard to care about others when your entire existence is wrapped up in maintaining worldly success or avoiding emotion. No matter how hard they try they can’t seem to fill the void inside.”
Above is an excerpt from my newest Christian novel in progress, "The Condition of Living." The story line came as a vision; main characters, setting, plot. Everything rolled out in my mind like a beautiful red carpet and all I had to do was follow. That's how I know it was laid on my heart by God to complete.
A modern-day road to Damascus story, The Condition of Living is a journey that weaves in and out of situations surrounding three main characters, whose conditions of living are completely different. Still, they weave in and out of each other’s lives by masterful design of the great I am. Another major part of the story is the process of Habitat for Humanity and how the mission of this international, Christian organization affects both conditions. HFH is also a personal ministry in my life. I hope to use this novel as a medium to share and to shine a light.
You are invited to join me by traveling through the story as details emerge chapter by chapter. As we journey along, please interact by commenting on the characters, their descriptions, situations and possible outcomes. I want to engage the reader during this process in order to draw out their own vision - to create an awareness of their own condition of living and how God works in all lives, believer or not.
Chapter One
Protagonist, Paul Adherhold of Athens, Georgia, is introduced. He is a 30-year-old journalist, single and for some reason jaded to all things charitable. There are doubts as to his faith in God but there is no doubt in the devotion he established to his own individualistic way of life. His only companion is an Australian Shepherd named Ozzy.
Acts 8: 3 "As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison."
Yes, our protagonist is patterned after the infamous Christian persecutor in the years after Christ's resurrection. Saul never knew Jesus. He only knew that these new Christian followers made a mockery of the Jewish customs and beliefs. He, in turn, believed himself strong enough and determined enough to destroy all traces of this new church. Through the authority of Jewish leaders, Saul used every horrible means available while allowing his heart to harden with hatred.
As for Paul, he not only opposes any organization that touts helping others as a mission, he is also determined to change the mindset of the entire giving world. Help Yourself - period is his motto. He simply cannot envision any benefit from giving anyone anything.
“Nothing good comes from giving. One learns and appreciates so much more through the daily struggles of conquering on their own.” His platform of choice, as well as his career, is an opinion column in the local newspaper. Subscribing partly to the philosophy, “…teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime,” the cynical, young man has no qualms putting it all on the line.
Paul's boss at the Athens Journal is a tall, slender black man named Maxwell Jacobson. Max unwittingly encouraged the progression of his underling’s quest. The popularity of Paul’s column increased paper circulation and therefore advertising, which translates into profit. Popularity, however, is not necessarily a positive. The Athens Journal received daily letters and calls which spouted angry, as well as tearful, responses to the writings.
Max does some soul searching that causes him to consider his religious beliefs and to doubt his own motives and responsibilities toward others in this life – including Paul. What could create such a hard immoveable heart, especially in such a young person? And what about a mature person? Is it possible for someone to change their mindset and in fact their whole way of living?
Acts 4: 25-26 "Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ."
__________________________________________________________________________
I look forward to responses. Look for Chapter Two Blog in the near future…