A Moment of Weakness: Book 2 in the Forever Faithful trilogy
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I remember well the story of a preacher’s young daughter who wound up pregnant. She was broken and repentant, still the congregation was split in their reaction. Some hugged her close and promised prayer and support. Others pointed fingers behind her back, whispering mean-spirited words and inciting outrage among that body of believers. The girl was a 4.0 student with a brilliant mind and, before her weakest moment, an equally brilliant future. Though she could have secretly had an abortion and maintained her pure image, she chose to take responsibility for her sin and move forward in God’s grace. Today God has blessed her with a godly husband and several beautiful children.
I never feared the repercussions her sin would have on her own life. Not with her faith so firmly rooted in Christ and his saving grace. Rather I feared for those who considered themselves judge and jury, those who were ashamed of her and held a grudge against her. Scripture teaches us not to judge others or we, ourselves, will be judged. Forgive one another, encourage one another, build one another up. Love one another.
Please learn a lesson from Doris and remember God’s grace the next time someone in your circle gives in to sin.
That said, I believe more of us relate to Jade and Tanner. Most people have been or will be tempted by the powerful pull of sexual sin. The Bible is as clear on this issue as it is on any that God feels strongly about. Scripture says flee immorality. Avoid sexual sin. Be pure. Be holy, set apart. Do not commit adultery. As with Tanner and Jade, God does not give these commands to punish us or dampen our pleasure. Rather he provides them so that our joy will be complete. Had Tanner and Jade waited until they were married, they would have been spared a decade of heartache and despair.
God’s ways are always more satisfying than acting out what seems or feels right in our own moments of weakness.
Sadly, in America today, sexual sin—including pornography—has been cast into an almost comical light. This despite the fact that it has ruined people of authority and power on both sides of the political spectrum, people in Hollywood, and people in churches across the country. Our society seems to have bought the lie that somehow sexual sin cannot be avoided.
As a nation, we are wrong in this thinking, wrong for encouraging it, and wrong for celebrating sexual sin as a means of entertainment. It is time that you and I and all who would believe take a stand for holiness and purity. If that means turning off the television set or canceling your Internet service to maintain a healthy, holy environment for you and your children, then turn it off and cancel it. Remember, we are to hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Finally, if you or someone you know is struggling with sexual sin, the time has come to seek godly counsel. There is glorious hope and a bright future for those who will get right with God, who will repent and turn away from this pervasive, addictive sin. Otherwise, there is only dark desperation and the consequences of sin as they are spelled out in Scripture.
In the meantime, I will pray along with you that each of us grows closer to God, his perfect Word, and his perfect plan for our lives.
Jesus Christ wants to be our personal friend and Savior. If you don’t have a relationship with him and want to know more about becoming a Christian, making sure your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, please connect with someone at a Bible-believing church in your area.
God is there, even now. Waiting, watching. Ready to forgive, ready to make us new creations, to welcome us with open arms into his everlasting presence.
As always, I’d love to hear from you. Write me at:
Multnomah Publishing
P.O. Box 1720
Sisters, OR 97759
Or e-mail me at: rtnbykk@aol.com
The publisher and author would love to hear your
comments about this book. Please contact us at:
www.mpbooks.com
Discussion Questions
1. Read Jeremiah 29:11. How does it make you feel knowing that God has plans for you?
2. Among the characters in A Moment of Weakness, can you most relate to Jade, Tanner, or Doris Eastman?
3. Tell about a special childhood friend you had. What do you remember about that time? Have you kept in touch with him or her? Why or why not?
4. During the years Tanner and Jade were apart, how was God working in Tanner’s life?
5. How was God working in Jade’s life during those years?
6. Why do you think Doris Eastman was a valuable character in this book?
7. How did you first come to have faith in Christ? Was your situation similar to Jade’s? If so, explain. If not, tell about someone you know who has doubts about God, the way Jade did.
8. When have you felt a certainty that God was at work, shaping your future?
9. Religious persecution is a common thing today. Discuss examples or times when you have seen Christians persecuted in the modern-day United States.
10. What religious freedoms do you see disappearing in our country? What can you do to help shore up the freedoms promised to all Americans in the U.S. Constitution?
THE
FOREVER FAITHFUL SERIES
WAITING FOR MORNING—Book One
A drunk driver … a deadly accident … a dream destroyed. When Hannah Ryan loses her husband and oldest daughter to a drunk driver, she is consumed with hate and revenge. Ultimately, it is a kind prosecutor, a wise widow, and her husband’s dying words that bring her the peace that will set her free and let her live again. ISBN 1-59052-020-3
A MOMENT OF WEAKNESS—Book Two
When childhood friends Jade and Tanner reunite as adults, they share their hearts, souls, and dreams of forever—until a fateful decision tears them apart. Now, nearly a decade later, Jade’s unfaithful husband wants to destroy her in a custody battle that is about to send shock waves across the United States. Only one man can help Jade in her darkest hour. And only one old woman knows the truth that can set them all free. ISBN 1-57673-616-4
HALFWAY TO FOREVER—Book Three
Matt and Hannah … Jade and Tanner—after already surviving much, these couples now face the greatest struggles of their lives: Parental losses and life-threatening illness threaten to derail their faith and sideline their futures. Can Hannah survive the loss of an adopted daughter? Will Tanner come through decades of loneliness only to face losing Jade one final time? ISBN 1-57673-899-X
ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Karen Kingsbury is an award-winning author and former reporter for the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Daily News. She is also a recognized author with the Women of Faith Fiction Club. Kingsbury lives with her husband and six children in Washington.