Rooms
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13. Micah’s choices send him down two very different paths. Are you facing any significant choices right now that could take you down a wonderful or destructive path? How do you know which is the right path to take? What specific steps are you taking down that path?
14. The day Micah got his scar shaped his life. Does one incident from your childhood control or affect your life in a way you wish it hadn’t? Explain.
15. Throughout the novel Micah desperately wants to enter the brilliant room. When he finally gets in, he’s stunned to discover it is his own heart, where the Holy Spirit lives. First Corinthians 3:16–17 says this is a holy place. If you’re a follower of Jesus, do you think of your heart as a holy place? Do you think of it as the place where God lives?
Cannon Beach, Oregon, is beautiful all year long. The following are a few of the many Web sites where you can find out more about the town and the surrounding area, as well as information on some of the places Micah goes in Rooms.
www. cannonbeach.org
www.cannon-beach.net
www.el.com/to/cannonbeach
Arcadia Beach State Park: www.oregonstateparks.org/park_187.php
Ecola State Park: www.oregonstateparks.org/park_188.php
Hug Point State Park: www.oregonstateparks.org/park_191.php.
Oswald West State Park: www.oregonstateparks.org/park_195.php.
Cape Lookout State Park: www.oregonstateparks.org/park_186.php.
www.morrisfireside.com
www.theoceanlodge.com
www.cannonbeachbooks.com
Acknowledgments
I thought writing a novel was primarily a solitary endeavor. Wrong answer. Try again. To describe a novel as a solo effort would be like saying the director is the only person involved in a feature-length film. Consequently, passionate thanks go out to:
Ruth, Jennifer, Tanya, and Jeff Scorziell for reading that long first draft of Rooms and giving great feedback and encouragement.
To Pat, Royce, Laura D., Scott, Kelli, Jill, Debbie A., Barb, and Helen for reading version two and pumping me full of hope. To Taylor, Jimmy Rub, Laura C., Bob C., Ronie, Leonard, Paul, Marcus, Mitch, Dave, Dan, Tina S., Ron, Tina D., Dineen, Robin, Jamie, Jeff, Debbie C., Glen, and my Good Buddy for reading version three and sending your excitement my way.
The greatest gift someone can give me is to read what I’ve written, so sincere thanks goes out to you, my reading friend, for investing your time in Rooms.
To Jennifer Fry for pushing me to take action. To my Band of Brothers: Jeff Stucky, Eric, Mark, Bob L., Jim R., and Peter for prayer, belief, and your constant willingness to listen as I told—on and on and on—of my roller-coaster journey to publication. To the Winklings for encouragement, laughter, critique, and belief.
To Sharon Sabin for continually asking how Rooms was coming along and believing from the beginning.
To the Carters: Rick, Evelyn, Todd, and Lindsay for reading Rooms, being such incredible encouragers, and for having almost as much passion for the book as I do.
To David Webb for being my champion, Susan May Warren for your outstanding teaching and friendship, and Sharon Hinck for friendship, belief, and that stellar conversation at Mount Hermon.
To Randy Ingermanson for that first huge boost and for being a great friend. To Tim Riter, Bryan Davis, and Jeff Gerke for their early friendship, wisdom, and encouragement. To Mary Beth Chappell, Beth Jusino, Janet Kobobel Grant, and Steve Laube for your excellent counsel and encouragement. To Tricia for wisdom, belief, and dropping everything to help someone you barely knew! To Elaine for early, early belief and intense education.
To Carla, you are my prayer warrior! To Robert Boyd Munger (My Heart—Christ’s Home) for writing such a powerful piece. To Roy Williams for telling me the truth and helping me believe.
To Bob Lord for dazzling brainstorming as the story formed, challenging critiques as you read, and for continually reminding me, “It’s all in the execution!”
To John Eldredge for widening my own path to freedom.
To Diana Lawrence, art director at B&H, for designing a stunning cover.
To my B&H fiction marketing manager, Julie Gwinn. You’re incredible!
To Karen Ball, my executive editor, not only a wonderful editor but my dear friend.
To editor Julee Schwarzburg, who took Rooms far beyond what I could have made it on my own. Are all editors as brilliant as you?
To Chip MacGregor, who is not only my agent but my friend as well.
To Cec Murphy, mentor, friend, and teacher.
To my critique partner and lifelong friend, Royce Cameron, for dedication to the craft and to me. I hope to be as good a writer as you someday.
To Jim Vaux who spoke it out during that dinner in Woodinville ages ago and wars for me in prayer like no other.
To Mick Silva for brotherhood, supernatural counsel, rabid belief in me, and never letting me forsake my heart and the reason for it all.
To Mom for loving me, believing in me, praying for me, for seeing my destiny, and never, ever, doubting it.
To Dad for giving me the gift of writing and showing me what joy unleashed looks like.
To Taylor and Micah for believing in me and being better sons than I could ever have imagined.
To Jesus for life, freedom, and making my dream come true. It all begins and ends in You.
Finally, to the toughest person to thank, since words are far too frail to convey my overwhelming gratitude—but I must try—my wife, Darci. Without your tireless love, unwavering faith, laser-focused edits, vision for the future, and deep counsel about the things in this life that really matter, this book would not have happened. You are far beyond what I ever dreamed a wife and best friend could be. In you I found my Sarah. In you I am truly blessed.