On Every Side Part 27

Joe and Jenna Campbell led their three children into Jericho Park and set up their blanket not far from the famous statue, the one that had caused a national commotion almost a year earlier.

"Okay kids, there it is. The Jesus statue."

Their ten-year-old son c.o.c.ked his head and stared up at the eyes of the statue, taking in the way Jesus' hands were out-stretched, welcoming, beckoning all who were weary to come. "That's exactly how I picture Jesus, Dad."

Joe stared at the statue, liking the way its presence dominated the park. "Yes, son. Me too."

The family moved closer, and Jenna put their picnic basket down as the five of them formed a circle on the ground.

"Why are we here again, Dad?" Their six-year-old daughter smiled through curious eyes. Joe knew she was unaware of all that had gone on since the trial, back when he'd been fired by the New York school district.

"Well, honey, about a year ago Daddy lost his job because he wanted to pray with one of the kids at school." He looked at his wife and saw tears glistening in her eyes. "Mommy and I wanted to come here to celebrate how good G.o.d is for taking care of us and getting me a new job."

Their eight-year-old daughter nodded as though she under-stood the situation completely. "That's why we moved here, right, Daddy?"

Joe grinned and tousled the child's hair." Right, sweetheart. A few months ago a nice attorney here in Bethany, a Mr. Riley-" he caught Jenna's gaze- "called me and told me about a teaching job at the high school here. He put in a good word for me, and I got hired." He looked at the faces of his family and felt his heart swell with gratefulness. "We're here today to celebrate G.o.d and all He's done for us, for His provision and love and care."

Jenna took his hand and finished the thought for him. "And for sending Mr. Riley at just the right time."

Joe thought back to that awful day in court, when Jordan Riley had fought so hard against him and he'd lost his job. He could see it as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. There they were, Jenna and him, immediately after the judge's decision, bowing their heads together in prayer, scarcely aware of the chaos that reigned in the courtroom. Joe drew a deep breath and searched the faces of his children, wondering how much they understood. "The day I lost my job, your mom and I prayed very, very hard."

Their oldest daughter angled her head, curiously. "Did you pray for a new job, Daddy?"

"No, we didn't, honey." He smiled at his wife and gently squeezed her fingers. "We weren't worried about that because G.o.d always takes care of us." He paused. "We prayed that Mr. Riley might love Jesus one day"

"That was a good thing to pray, right, Daddy?" Their youngest nodded confidently "But does he?"

"Yeah, Daddy, does he love Jesus now?" The kids spoke at the same time, and Joe and Jenna laughed.

"Yes." Joe's eyes were suddenly wet. He remembered Jordan's phone call a few months earlier, the tears in the man's voice as he apologized for costing Joe his job... and the joy as Jordan shared the fact that he had joined the ranks of believers. "Yes, kids, he loves Jesus very, very much."

"That's kind of like a miracle, isn't it, Dad?" Their oldest waited for an answer.

"Yes." Joe gathered his family close and gazed up at the Jesus statue. "It's the best miracle of all."

FEDERAL COURT RULES CITY NOT REQUIRED.

TO HIDE STATUE OF JESUS.

(Marshfield, Wisconsin)-An atheist group's request to erect a ten-foot-high wall around a statue of Jesus was denied May 9, 2000, by U.S. District Court Judge John Shabaz. The decision came as a result of a lawsuit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, whose goal was to remove or hide the statue, which has stood in a Marshfield city park since 1959.

The case was dismissed by the U.S. District Court after the city sold the statue to a private landowner in December, 1998. On appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit held on February 4, 2000, that the sale of the statue was valid and appropriate, but ordered the city to take steps to differenti-ate between the property owned by the city and the private property where the statue is located.

Judge Shabaz in his final decision said the Const.i.tution did not require what he called "visual separation" of the statue from the rest of the park. He accepted the proposal from the city requiring the erection of a four-foot-high, wrought-iron fence that will not block the view of the statue. The city will display a sign signifying that the statue and the land it sits on is privately owned.

The city of Marshfield was represented by the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), and by Harold Wolf gram, a.s.sistant city attorney for the city of Marshfield. The ACLJ spe-cializes in First Amendment law and focuses on pro-family, pro-life, and pro-liberty cases.

Although On Every Side was inspired by this true event, it is not intended to accurately depict any aspect of either the ACLJ, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, or any other person or event involved or a.s.sociated with the actual incident as it took place.

Dear family and friends: It's good to meet with you again and as always to thank you for traveling with me through the pages of this, my latest book. I must tell you how much I enjoyed writing On Every Side-both the heart-stopping research and the way G.o.d worked in me, bringing down walls of my own as He brought Faith and Jordan and Joshua to life.

As with all my books, there is a nugget of truth nestled between the lines of this story. The truth is that walls have been around since the beginning of time, whether they belonged to Adam and Eve, who allowed a barrier between themselves and G.o.d, or the people of Jericho, who believed they could keep G.o.d out by building a wall around their city.

Before I wrote On Every Side, I thought walls were more of an Old Testament issue. Walled-in cities; walled-in, stubborn people; temple wall, that kind of thing. But as the story came to life, G.o.d began to make something very clear.

Walls are a part of our lives to this very day Oh, we may not think we've put walls between G.o.d and us. I certainly didn't think so. But I discovered that without meaning to, I had allowed schedules and responsibilities and the busyness of life to put distance between the Lord and me. In a sense, I allowed walls to form. I'm guessing that this is true for you as well. Though your intentions may have been good, though they may still be good, somewhere along the way you've allowed s.p.a.ce to come between you and the Father.

It is my prayer that in reading this book you've had a chance to take stock of your faith life. That where you've recognized walls, you've found time perhaps even now to draw nearer to G.o.d, to tear down the walls and enjoy once again that intimate walk with Him.

Of course, for some of you the walls have been in place as far back as you can remember. People might have told you about G.o.d, and in the back of your mind you knew you'd have to deal with Him someday But not yet, not while you were busy with life and planning your agenda without Him. For you, I pray this will be a life-changing moment, here, now That you will recognize as long as walls exist between you and G.o.d your situation is desperate. And that you will beg His forgiveness. Ask Him to knock down the barriers, brick by brick. Believe that He will take you into His loving arms and grant you mercy and grace so long as you take the first step.

If this is you, and if here and now you've made a decision to accept Christ for life and allow the walls to fall, please do this: Get connected with a Bible-believing church and plant yourself in the fertile soil of G.o.d's Word. That way you will be sure to grow deep roots, roots that will prevent anything from ever coming between you and the Lord again.

On that note, I'd like to ask for your prayers for our family. We have adopted three precious little six-year-old boys from Haiti. Many of you have journeyed with me through all my books and know a little more about how we came to this decision. For those who don't, let me say it was a two-year process. We began by believing G.o.d wanted us to take into our hearts and homes one or two children who were orphans. And so we searched social services' photolisting files online from across the United States.

What we found was sad indeed.

Generally, if a child was up for adoption, and if there weren't already ten or twenty families waiting in line for a child, then our social worker would simply say "That child can't go to a family with young children in the home." Or, "There are severe anger issues with that child, making him unsafe around other children." Or, "That child has a considerable number of special needs."

In the end, we nearly gave up.

Then G.o.d led us to a wonderful Christian orphanage in Haiti called Heart of G.o.d Ministries. We found our little boys on a photolisting on their Web site www.hgm.org and prayed for G.o.d to open the door for us to adopt them if it was His will. Let's just say G.o.d has blessed us indeed, opening the door so wide it came off the hinges!Our three birth children are thrilled about the arrival of their new brothers and have talked about them for nine months as though they're already here.

A few days ago, three-year-old Austin said, "Mommy will you pick up E. J. and Sean and Joshua from their house?"

I said, "No, honey They don't have a house."

He blinked. "Do they have a castle?"

I smiled at him and smoothed a finger over his cheek. "No, buddy. They don't have anything. Not even a mommy and daddy"

With that, baby tears filled his eyes, and this normally rough-and-tumble child said, "Can we be their mommy and daddy?"

Yes, I believe G.o.d has all our hearts ready We antic.i.p.ate a G.o.d-directed transition, safe travel, and a closer walk with Him because of the privilege of caring for these three in addition to our three birth children. Still, there are bound to be speed b.u.mps along the way (for instance, they speak Creole and we don't). Because of that, please pray for us. I'll give you another update at the end of my next book. Until then, blessings to you and yours, humbly in Christ.

Karen Kingsbury PS. As always, I'd love to hear from you. Write me at my e-mail address: BOOK CLUB OR BIBLE STUDY GUIDE.

Have you ever prayed for something or someone and felt as though G.o.d didn't hear your prayers? How did it make you feel? How do you feel now?

Did it surprise you to learn that there really was a Jesus statue case? Why or why not? Where do you think our country stands today in terms of religious freedom issues?

How are you or your family and friends affected by restrictions on religious freedom in the United States?

To which character in the book can you most relate? Why?

Consider the main characters. How did they change over the course of the story? In what way is G.o.d trying to change or grow you at this stage in your life?

Read Joshua 5:13-6:20. What are the parallels between that story and the story in this book?

Jordan lost much as a young teen. What losses have you dealt with and how have you responded to them?

Have you ever been angry at G.o.d because of those losses? Have you ever walked away from G.o.d? If so, how are things now between you and G.o.d? Why are they that way?

Read Romans 8:28. G.o.d always has our situation under control. His control, not ours. Has there been a time in your life when all seemed lost, but G.o.d-in His timing- worked things out for your good? What was that like? How did you feel about G.o.d during that time?

Why did the letter from Jordan's mother change his life? Has anyone ever written you a letter that changed your life? Describe that situation.

THE.

FOREVER FAITHFUL SERIES.

Waiting for Morning-Book One A drunk driver...a deadly accident...a dream destroyed. When Hannah Ryan loses her hus-band 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 hus-bands dying words that bring her the peace that will set her free and let her live again.

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 cus-tody 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.

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 sur-vive the loss of an adopted daughter? Will Tanner come through decades of loneliness only to face losing Jade one final time?

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. Kingsbuiy lives with her husband and six children in Was.h.i.+ngton.

OTHER NOVELS BY.

KAREN KINGSBURY.

WHERE YESTERDAY LIVES.

In the wake of her father's sudden death, Ellen Barrett must journey back to the small town where she grew up and spend a week with antagonistic siblings. In the process, she must reckon with a man who once meant everything to her.

WHEN JOY CAME TO STAY.

Maggie Stovall is trapped inside a person she's spent years carefully crafting. Now the truth about who she is-and what she's done-is revealed, sending Maggie into a spiral of despair. Will Maggie walk away from her marriage and her foster child in her desperation to escape the mantle of depression cloaking her? Or will she allow G.o.d to take her to a place of ultimate honesty before it's too late?

ON EVERY SIDE.

Jordan Riley, an embittered lawyer, sues his hometown to have a public statue of Jesus removed. The conflict causes him to cross paths with a spirited young newscaster named Faith, who opposes Jordan's suit in surprising ways. Perhaps most amazing of all is how Faith begins to disa.s.semble the walls around Jordan's heart. Will love be enough when the battle rages on every side?

KAREN KINGSBURY.

AND PRISM COFOUNDER TONI VOGT.

THE PRISM WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM.

The PRISM Weight Loss Program, founded in 1990, has helped more than 60,000 people transform their eating behaviors with a sensible, lifestyle-change approach. Now available in The Prism Weight Loss Program by bestselling author Karen Kingsbury and PRISM cofounder Toni Vogt, the book shows readers how to not just "tame the monster" of food addiction, but destroy it through simple eating strategies and biblical principles. It includes testimoni-als, descriptions of the authors' personal struggles with food addiction, details of the program, and a fabulous recipe section that will help readers become the fit people G.o.d created them to be.

Shocking Murder Destroys Deputy's Sense of Justice Shattered Justice by bestselling author

KAREN BALL.

When Sheriff's deputy Dan Justice is called to the scene of a shooting, he feels like he's in a nightmare. He turns over the bodies and discovers a horrifying truth: two of the victims are those dearest to him. Dans world falls apart. How can G.o.d be just in light of this crime? Can his sisters and small-town community-especially one woman who loves him-help Dan overcome this tragedy? Or will bitterness and anger shat-ter his entire soul?

ISBN 978-1-59052-413-8.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT.

KAREN KINGSBURY FICTION...

From Store owners and managers: "You are my very favorite fiction author." -Orchards, WA "I highly recommend Karen Kingsbury's fiction." -Denton, MD "I will recommend your books to everyone." -Medina OH "The problem is, that Karen Kingsbury doesn't write fast enough! "-Wheaton, IL "When Joy Came to Stay...One of the best books I've read.... I would definitely recommend this book to my customers, because it will bring a smile to their face, a tear in their eye, and deeper understanding of G.o.d's grace.-Winston-Salem, NC "What a heart stopper! Stayed up till 2 A.M. just to see what hap-pens next. Truly brings the power of our loving, forgiving, G.o.d to light. I have already, SEVERAL times suggested your books to my customers! "-Canton, OH "When I received this book by Karen Kingsbury I was excited. I've read other books by her and loved them. The advertis.e.m.e.nt of needing Kleenex when you read her books is true. By all means I will be recommending this book to my customers." - Auburn AL "Another magnificent book. You can be sure we will make this book a bestseller at our Christian bookstore." - Birmingham, AL From Readers: "You are unbelievably gifted. In my mind, you are to inspirational fiction what Charlie Parker was to the saxophone, what Mark McGwire is to the home run, what Michael Jordan is to basket-ball, what Tiger Woods is to golf. You are that good." -M.A.