SABBATH SNAPSHOT : spor-TEA

Charles Martin, usually a fave author for me---didn't disappoint most of his fans with his latest, A Life Intercepted. For me, it's not a typical, "I loved it.....but more of an "it's okay."

It's about football, a sport which I'm actually a fan of, but for me, Life Intercepted seemed to bog down a little with the details. Yet, as always, Martin is a storyteller extraordinaire----especially when love is a part of the plot.
Falsely accused of a heinous crime,the protagonist, Matthew, lost everything precious when he was sentenced to prison and never gave up proclaiming his innocence. (The mystery of what really happened is woven into the story.) Now, his goal is to do whatever it takes to find his wife and win her back, even if it means reincarceration.

I looked into her eyes and knew that if my wife was in there, she was buried beneath a world of pain. (p. 101) 

The author's notes help explain the importance of the football focus in Martin's own life and how that "game" metaphor is a lot like life, with forgiveness and redemption seen as crucial in relationships.

THE DEAD DON'T DANCE

5/28/11

Never judge a book by it’s cover, an old adage states, and in my case, not by it’s title either. Actually the book is a haunting story of love and loss and is classified as inspirational. So far, it’s just sad. Yet, according to the blurb, it’s a story of one man’s spiritual journey from the darkness of despair to the light of hope. (I hope so---that’s why I’m still reading.)

Any title with “dance” in it grabs my attention but it was my disagreement with this title that had me choose the book. Those who are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) are living outside of Christ and have no reason to dance. But God…. because of his great love for us, made us alive with Christ (Eph. 2:4-5) Therein is our hope and in my mind a reason to dance---now that I/you have found the right Partner.

Plus, I hope to find the perfect ballroom in heaven so that I can keep on dancing!! How ’bout you? Who says the “dead don’t dance”? HOGWASH!
Dead to the earth but “stayin’ alive” and jukin’ throughout eternity!