DECEPTIO (EXCERPT)

CHAPTER 2

Special Agent Camilla Rodriguez scanned the crowd gathered on the Les Miller field from her vantage point at the back. From where she stood, she had a good view of everything and everyone. Personally, she didn’t think anyone in his right mind would try to kill the senator with the police and the FBI present. Only a suicidal maniac would attempt anything would think of making an attempt on his life. Therefore, to her it was a monumental waste of time that so much manpower had been allocated to prevent something she didn’t think would happen. There were other things she and her colleagues could be doing rather than sitting and twiddling their thumbs as they waited for something that was never going to happen.

Camilla had been shown the letters sent to Senator Partridge. There were three of them and they were supposed to be from some hitherto unknown fundamentalist Christian group called Christ’s Warriors opposed to his message of freedom and rights. The letters had been composed from newspaper cuttings pasted on white paper. They had been analyzed by FBI experts but they had been unable to come up with any prints. All they had been able to find out was the fact that the paper was of the cheap variety that could be obtained from any store. They were also not any closer to finding out more about the group that had threatened his life. That was if such a group actually existed.

Her friends and colleagues knew that Senator Partridge wasn’t exactly Camilla’s favorite person in the world. But the fact that she didn’t like him wasn’t why she wasn’t convinced that there actually was a plot on his life. It was that there were just too many things that didn’t add up. The group that allegedly wanted to kill him was not on the FBI database of fundamentalist or terrorist groups and had never been heard of before. The first they had got to hear about the group was when the senator had come to them with the letters. While she admitted that it was possible for a totally new group who had as their sole aim and purpose, the killing of Robert Partridge to spring up, the fact that they had been unable to find any trace of the group made her skeptical. For all she knew, the only place the group existed was in Robert Partridge’s mind.

The fact that the senator had only come to them after he received the third letter was in Camilla’s view, another reason why she found it hard to believe that such a group actually existed. His excuse had been that when he got the first and second letters, he had believed it was a prank being played by someone he knew. It was only after the third one came that his wife had convinced him to take the matter seriously and come and see the FBI. Camilla found that hard to believe. The senator must have known that he had a lot of enemies because of who he was and the privileged family he came from and that he was making a lot more with his speeches. She therefore expected that if he had received a threat, it was to be taken seriously until it was proved to be a hoax.

Camilla scanned the crowd again this time with the binoculars hanging around her neck. There were quite a few people speaking on their mobile phones but Camilla doubted if there was any one of them who was speaking to the leader of some fundamentalist group. As far as she was concerned, if any one wanted to kill the Senator, he or she had a great chance of succeeding before being caught. Even with all the FBI agents and officers of Chicago police department all over the place and in plain clothes among the people, it was still a nightmare scenario. Not that she was saying that anyone was going to try to kill the senator, especially not any phantom fundamentalist group, but she would breathe easier when the senator gave his speech and left the stage.

Speaking of speeches, she wondered when he was going to come on stage. She looked at her watch. It was some minutes after 11 o’clock. Any moment from now, it would be time for the speech. She hoped that it wasn’t going to be a long one.

“Here, I bought you a hot dog.”

Camilla jumped at the sound. She turned toward the voice and saw her colleague, Jeremiah Walker, holding out a hot dog in her direction with his left hand while in his right hand, he held another hot dog that he had taken a bite from. He had startled her. She had been lost in her thoughts and hadn’t heard him walk up.

“You startled me,” she accused even as she took the hot dog from him. She removed the paper around the hot dog and took a bite. She had not eaten anything that morning. She had only drunk a cup of coffee to fortify herself for the day ahead. Somewhere along the line, she had forgotten she was hungry.

“I didn’t know if you liked mustard or ketchup with your hot dog but I guessed it wouldn’t hurt if it was mustard,” he said. “If you don’t like it, I can go back and get another one,” he offered.

“No, it’s okay. It’s fine,” she assured him even as she took another bite. She sighed with satisfaction as the food hit all the right spots. “What’s a hot dog without mustard any way?” she asked.

He laughed even as he bit into his own. His white teeth showed up against the brown of his face. “Of course.”

“You’re a life saver, you know that, don’t you?” she asked.

“I aim to please,” he replied. He enjoyed the way she ate. She ate heartily like one who was enjoying the food, rather than someone eating just to keep alive. In that regard, she wasn’t like other women. And the fact that she seemed to have a body metabolism that didn’t allow her to put on weight no matter what she eat, didn’t hurt either.

“I was only able to swallow a cup of coffee this morning before I had to rush out of the house,” she said as she chewed. She had almost finished the hot dog. That was another thing; she just seemed unable to take her time while eating. She took the view that it wasn’t the time you took over the food that made you feel full; it was the amount of food you eat. Whether you spent an hour or two minutes, the benefits were the same.

“I’m not really a breakfast person myself,” he said, raising one shoulder in a shrug. He watched as she popped the last bit of the hot dog into her mouth, licking the mustard from her fingers before cleaning her hand with the napkin provided. “You’ve got a bit of mustard beside your mouth,” he said.

“Where?” she asked, raising her hand to clean her mouth, missing the trace of mustard that had somehow gotten on to the side of her mouth from the wrapping around the mustard. “Is it gone?”

“No, it’s still there. Just beside your mouth,” he answered amused.

“Where?” she asked. “Left or right?”

“Right,” he answered, his amusement vanishing as he watched her tongue come out to lick the mustard away. His breathing grew shallow. He wished he could help her lick away the mustard.

“Is it all gone?” she asked.

“Yes,” he answered, not sure if his voice sounded normal. He didn’t feel normal. He turned away.

Camilla looked at him. He sounded funny. She was about to ask him if he was alright when it occurred to her what might be wrong with him. If it was what she thought it was, it would be better to let sleeping dogs lie. She didn’t know what had set him off and she wasn’t sure she wanted to find out.

Ever since Jeremiah Walker had been transferred to the Chicago office of the FBI from New Orleans, he had made no secret of the fact that he liked her. So he only liked her, a voice in her head scoffed. Liked? Liked was a lukewarm word, the voice in her head mocked. Well, extremely attracted to her, she revised mentally. And he felt she was attracted to him too, which Camilla didn’t deny. He had therefore seen nothing wrong with taking the mutual attraction to the next logical level by having an affair. But while Camilla was willing to admit that she liked him as a friend, she wasn’t about to get into a relationship with him. Because they were different.

(JC Cruz is the author of DECEPTIO. DECEPTIO is published by WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson Publishers. You can get a copy from www.westbowpress.com/store)



Light Affliction

There's a tendency for us to think its the end of the world when we go through things that test our faith. There is also tendency for us to think that we are the only ones who are going through the trouble or who can understand what it means to go through what we are going through.

Even though it has been said over and over again that bad stuff will always happen, we still feel bad when bad things happen to us. We feel that because we're Christians, we should be exempt from troubles. Then when we go through the trouble, we feel that it should only last for a short while. However, as much as we would like this to be the case, at times, issues last longer than we would wish. It seems as if we are never going to survive what we are going through.

But the Bible tells us that in II Cor 4 v 17 that our afflictions are "light" and "but for a moment". Some of you might say, "Hold on there. Did you just say light? And I've been in this situation for over a year. That is defintely far more than a moment. I understand that some of us have been going through things that seem as if they have been going on for ever but we need to understand that it's a matter of perspective. Our perpective is that the weight of the issues we are facing is crushing and it seems that we will never survive. But God's perpective is that what we are going through is light and temporary because of the glory that will come after the trouble. The Bible says that God does not allow a test to come our way without a making a way of escape for us. If that then is God's perspective, that then means that we are suffering through what we are going through because we have the wrong perspective. Our perspective should be the same as God's. That what we are going through is light and is fleeting because of the glory that will be revealed in us through the issues we go through.

It's time for us to stop suffering through what we are going through. It's time for us to change our perspective. We need to add to our faith, patience, and hope and wait out our troubles. Then if we faint not, we shall receive the promise.

(JC Cruz is the author of DECEPTIO published by WestBow Press. You can get DECEPTIO from http://www.westbowpress.com/. You can follow him on Twitter at @CruzJCReal.)

God Cannot Lie!

Its funny how we start the year full of hope then wham! something happens that makes us throw all our hopes, dreams and expectations ot of the window. Sometime we have an experience that makes us forget all the promises contained in the Bible based on the convenant we have with him through Jesus Christ. Somehow, all the things we planned are viewed through the narrow prism of our experience and we shut out all our possibilities.

I would like us to take a step back and consider God's word. Even though in Jer 29 v 11, God was speaking to the nation of Israel after they had been taken captive, those words are still true today as they were all those years ago. Nothing can negate the purpose and plan of God for your life or what God wants to do through, for and by you. Except you decide to remove yourself from God's hands. We need to trust God and hope that the things we are trusting Him for will happen. That is the most important thang. To trust that God cares so deeply for us and that he wants the best for us. Things will happen. But the Bible says that God takes the good, the bad and the ugly and works everything together for our good, because we love him.

Regardless of whatever might have happened or we have heard this year, we should be comforted by one thing. The Bible says God cannot lie. If He's promised something in His word, you can take it to the bank (His of course!) and cash it. It's just January, not the wnd of the world. Just keep on living every day, trusting God and I promise you that God will come through.

DECEPTIO (EXCERPT)

From the day he had met her, Susan had teased and tantalized him with tales of a powerful group of men who had interest in who became president and who were looking for someone they could trust who they could anoint to be president. He had always believed that she had mentioned it just to get him interested in her, but he had always hoped that in the event that such a group existed, he would be the one they chose. Now, almost two years later, he was finally beginning to believe that the group existed. And they had chosen him to be the next president.
He had actually never met anyone who was a part of this group, as they all preferred to remain anonymous. Whatever message or instruction they had for him, they passed through Susan. Robert didn’t mind, as long as they were able to do what they promised. This morning, he was supposed to take the next step towards realizing his ambition of becoming president. His lips formed into a grim line as he thought about what was supposed to take place that morning. He wished that there was another way and he had told Susan so. He really didn’t understand why it had to be that way. However, Susan had insisted that it had to be that way because that was the way the group had planned it. He had petulantly asked if they insisted it had to be that way, why then didn’t one of them come and take his place. That had angered Susan and it was one of the few occasions he had seen her really angry. She had reminded him that he was the one who wanted to be president and that he had to take an active part in the whole proceedings. She had also told him that if he was no longer interested in being president, he only had to say so and they would look for someone else.
Robert had been alarmed at the threat behind Susan’s words although he had tried not to show it. He was about to achieve his lifelong dream and ambition and he wasn’t about to let anything or anyone take it from him. Not even the thought of what could go wrong could dissuade him. He would go along with what they suggested. But he definitely wasn’t happy. The men probably thought they were in control. He would bide his time and wait till he was president then he would show them who was in control. Robert smiled. Patience was the name of the game.
“You’re ready sir.” The girl applied the final touches to the make-up on his face and removed the cover placed on his shirt front to prevent it from getting stained. She then stepped back as he rose from the chair.
“Thank you,” he said as he walked to the mirror to adjust his tie. He felt uncomfortable with all the make-up on but he knew it was necessary. He needed to look good with all the television cameras that would be there; focused on his face and his every expression.
“I just wanted to say sir, that I’m a great fan of yours. And I want you to know that if it’s true that you’re going to run for president, then you have my vote.”
Robert finished adjusting his tie and then turned to look at the girl. She was in her mid-twenties, plump and she had a massive blush on her face. Her hair was drawn away from her face and a rubber band held it together in an unflattering bun at the back of her head but quite a few unruly strands had managed to escape. Not his type but it wouldn’t hurt to turn on the charm. So Robert turned on the charm. His smiled as he walked toward her and took hold of her right hand. He raised it and held it in both of his.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Jane. Jane Parnacek.”
Plain Jane he thought. “Well Jane, it’s good to know that you’ll be voting for me if I’m running for president. But the best thing would be for you to first vote for me during the primaries. Also, it would help if you were able to convince your friends and your family to vote for me too,” he said as he held on to her hands and looked into her eyes with as much sincerity as he could muster.
She looked at him as if hypnotized. “I’m not a Democrat,” she said, sounding breathless. She also sounded apologetic as if she had somehow caused offence by not being a Democrat. If it were possible, it seemed the blush on her face had grown redder.
He raised her hand to his lips to plant a small kiss on the back of her hand. Her breath caught in her throat. He could tell that he had a fan for life. He chuckled inwardly.
“I would have loved to tell you that you’re in the wrong party,” he said, smiling to take any sting out of the words, “but I’ll take what I can get. Will you do me a favor, Jane?” he asked.
“Anything,” she said, finding it hard to say the words through the constriction in her throat.
He was sure that she meant what she’d just said but he wasn’t about to test the truth of it. He stared into her eyes as if he were trying to see into the depths of her soul. “If I do win my party’s primaries, then I’m going to need your help in convincing your family and friends why they need to vote for me. Can you do that for me?” he asked as he squeezed her hand.
“Yes,” she said, staring at him with wide eyes.
“Can someone explain to me what is going on here?”
Jane nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound. He slowly turned toward the door where the voice had come from to see his wife standing in the doorway. Meanwhile, Jane was trying to tug her hand from his, definitely eager to make her escape. He decided to take pity on the poor girl and released his hold on her hand. “I was trying to convince Jane here about the need to get her family and friends to vote for me if I decide to run for President. Actually, I wanted her to vote for me during the primaries but she’s not a Democrat. My loss,” he said smiling pleasantly. He watched as the girl slunk out of the room trying her best to avoid Susan.
“And can you explain to me what you were thinking, holding that girl’s hand?” Susan asked calmly. It never once occurred to her that maybe Robert was trying to hit on the girl. She knew he cared too much about his political career to let something like a little indiscretion ruin it. He also knew who held the power to help him realize his political ambition.
From the moment she met Robert Partridge, she had known that she had met someone whose ambition matched her own. He had this burning ambition to president and she was happy to be the one who was going to help him try and achieve his ambition. Especially since in helping him, she also was going to achieve her own ambition. It was a testament to their combined ambition and the people who were backing him that he was considered a front runner in the presidential race even though he had not formally declared his intention to run. And to think that there were those who had said that his political career was finished after he divorced his first wife.
“Like I told you, I was trying to convince the girl that the proper thing would be to vote for me,” Robert said, turning back to the mirror to arrange his clothes. He looked at Susan in the mirror. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, “I hope you didn’t get the wrong idea? That would be funny, you know.”
“No, I didn’t think get the wrong idea,” she said, walking toward him and helping him with his clothes. “But you ought to know by now that it just will not do for you to get yourself into a situation that some unscrupulous person can take advantage of.”
Robert frowned as she arranged his already perfectly straight tie. “I thought you agreed that there was nothing going on?” he asked, surprised.
“I believe it, but not everyone will. Not if the “victim” brings a law suit for sexual harassment against you.”
“Oh. I see.”
“I knew you would.”
He was silent for a while then he asked, “Do I really need to go along with this?”
She sighed. “We’ve gone over this, again and again. I thought we had agreed that it was best this way. There are going to be a lot of strong contenders. This way, we can make sure that you’re ahead of the pack.”
“I’m sure there are other ways of achieving the same result ....”
“And we have agreed that, yes, there are probably other ways, but this is by far the best way.”
He sighed, signifying his reluctant acceptance of the situation. She raised her hands to hold his head as she stared into his eyes. “Believe me, everything is going to work out just the way we planned it. Let’s go and wow them with that speech.”

(JC Cruz is the author of DECEPTIO. DECEPTIO is published by WestBow Press. You can get a copy from the store at www.westbowpress.com. You can follow JC Cruz on Twitter @Cruz_JCREal)

Take A Stand!

I love the story surrounding Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos. (I can’t say that I like him since I believe you need to know someone to be able to like or love them.) I like the fact that he doesn’t make any pretence about who he is and what he believes. He also takes a stand for what he believes in regardless of the insults he gets from people. I also understand that quite a lot of people, both non-Christians and Christians alike don’t like him, even though they don’t know him (although they know about him and the things he does on and off the pitch. For the non-Christians, I understand that it is because they have an aversion and a hatred for anything connected with God. His actions remind them of their own sin and they don’t like it. Unfortunately, it’s a similar story for the Christians. The fact that he takes a stand regarding his faith makes them all too aware of their own “failings” as Christians and the fact that they have refused to take a stand as Christians where they are. Probably, if any of them were to tell a co-worker he or she is a Christian, the co-worker would probably go “Oh, really?” It’s not his fault that their hearts condemn them.

But I’m scared for him. I followed a link from Pastor Rick Warren’s Twitter feed to an article written about him. When asked about the things most important to him, he said “Football, faith, foundation.” The foundation was in reference to a foundation he has set up for underprivileged children. I would like to confess here that at times, I’m something of a pessimist. At times I see problems and issues where there are none. Immediately I read about the foundation, the first thought that came to mind was Jerry Sandusky. I’m not here to argue about his innocence or not, that will be done in court, by his lawyer or lawyers, in front of jury of his peers. But the thought that followed the first thought was about how easy it is to destroy a person’s name, career, family and reputation with an allegation.

When we think of repressive and oppressive regimes, we have been taught to think of countries Iran, North Korea and Cuba. We would be appalled or offended if someone were to list the United States or the United Kingdom in that list. Especially if we are citizens. But I have seen a growing intolerance for the Christian faith and speaking about what you believe because of a growing political correctness and a misplaced sense of not wanting to cause offence. Due to the fact that I follow Fox News on Twitter, I have read stories about teachers being dismissed, students being suspended and Christian student groups being harassed in high schools and colleges all over America simply because they took a stand for what they believed in. Because they stood for Christ. Their belief in the good news has cost them something. That’s what Jesus promised in Mark 10 v 29-31. It’s something we all can’t escape because the world and its systems are opposed to God and his Christ.

The animal kingdom is full of species where mothers eat their young or other members of the specie eat each other. Unfortunately, if Christianity was an animal kingdom and we all were animals, we would rank as number 1 on the list of those who devoured each other. I wonder what people would say if suddenly he was involved in a scandal. I believe that sadly, a lot of Christians would be happy, saying that they had known his piety was false.

Personally, I think Tim shouldn’t be criticised. Even if we don’t agree with him, rather than join non-believers in their criticism, we should pray for him. We should pray that God continue to use him as an effective witness, that God will make him stand and that nothing will make him fall. We should also pray that even as God uses him, God will use us too.

Right or Love? Part 2

"It would be key to almost all the problems which sorround us today, if men would think less of their rights and more of their duties" - Mac Powell

I think the above quote sums up my view and the point I am trying to make. At times we are so caught up in the issue of our "rights" or what is due to us, that we entirely forget the responsibility we owe others. A once read a quote where someone said that all the major troubles that have happened to the world have been caused by religion. I totally disagree. Especially when it comes to Christianity. The sad fact is that the world needs to understand that conflicts cannot be resolved when people have a sense of entitlement. That sense of entitlement (whether right or wrong) leads them to carry out heinous acts that oppress others. In the end, the sense of entitlement or a "right" ends up causing sufferring and pain. This is quite common in the world today and we as Christians have joined the train. Jesus said if a man makes you walk a mile, walk with him for two miles. On the face of it, it tells me that if a man with a sense of entitlement causes you hardship, instead of seeking revenge or your right, then walk with him in love.

Love can be a powerful tool if we truly understand what its all about. Myles Muroe said when the use of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable. We have not fully understood or utilised what love is all about. That is why we have allowed Hollywood to hijack and abuse it. Its time we took love back and made it work. Then we would truly be powerful witnesses for Christ.

(You can follow JC Cruz on Twitter (CruzJC_Real). His book, DECEPTIO is published by WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson. http://www.westbowpress.com/)

DECEPTIO (EXCERPT)

Below is an excerpt from my novel DECEPTIO, published by WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson. Hope you enjoy it.

CHAPTER 1

A camera panned to focus on the two people seated in chairs in front of the large letters that spelled out the television station’s name. The camera and all the other equipment transmitted their images via television into the living rooms, offices, shops, and train and bus stations of millions of Americans all over the country.  

“Good morning. Welcome to this morning’s news on CSTV. My name is Peter Farrow, and reading the news with me this morning, as usual, is Rachel Corretja.”

“Good morning, and welcome to the news,” Rachel said smiling.

“Our top story this morning comes from Brazil where over twenty people have died in clashes between gang members and the police overnight in the favelas on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro where the gangs hold sway. However, before we go to our correspondent standing by there, we want to take you to the University of Illinois at Chicago, where billionaire; Senator Robert Partridge is giving a speech. Our correspondent; Chris Cooper is standing by. Chris, before you tell us what Senator Partridge is going to say in his speech, can you quickly tell us who Robert Partridge is?”

“Good morning, Peter, Rachel. I’m here reporting live from the Les Miller field at the University of Illinois at Chicago. As you said, Senator Robert Partridge is giving a speech this morning at the university. The speech is in connection with the student’s union week at the university. With regard to who Robert Partridge is, he comes from a prominent Chicago family with interests in fishing, oil and mining to mention a few. His family has also been politically active in the state: one of his uncles was a former governor of the state of Illinois. Unlike a lot of members of his family who went to Yale and Harvard, Senator Partridge counts the University of Illinois at Chicago as his alma mater. Since leaving the university, he has gone on to greater things. He was at one time, the ambassador of the United States to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. At present, he is a senator representing the state of Illinois in the Congress.”

“Do we know what he is going to tell the students, Chris?” Rachel asked.

“Senator Partridge is a known advocate of individual rights, and he has been going around the country, asking American youths to stand up and fights for the defense of their rights which he believes the federal government is encroaching on. The message seems to be getting a positive reception wherever he goes. It is believed that he is going to speak on more of the same this morning. However, there seems to be an added twist. Though not yet official, it is believed that he plans to use this visit to his alma mater to speak of his intention to run for president.”

“What does Senator Partridge hope to gain by announcing his candidacy for president in front of the students, Chris?” Peter asked.

“Well Peter, there is the general feeling that he’s firing the first salvo before the primaries begin. Even though like I said, it’s not going to be an official declaration, there are those who believe that by announcing his candidacy in his state, in front of students who are likely to vote both in the primaries and the election proper if he scales through the primaries, it will give him something of an edge.”

“There have been rumors and unconfirmed reports that the senator’s life is under threat from some Christian fundamentalist group,” Rachel said. “That they have written a series of letters threatening his life because they are uncomfortable with his message of freedom and rights. Is there any sign that the authorities are taking the threat seriously? Can you tell our viewers about the security there?”

“Well, as you said, the reports that the Senator’s life was threatened are yet to be confirmed. But it seems that the FBI and the Chicago Police Department are not taking chances. There’s quite a number of law-enforcement agents around the place but whether the number will deter anyone determined to take the Senator’s life is another matter entirely.” 

“Thank you Chris. We will come back to you later to get an update on the speech. Now to other news ...”

Senator Robert Partridge sat in the chair as make-up was applied to his face, preparatory to him getting in front of the cameras, reflecting on how smoothly things seemed to be going. He was so close to achieving his dream now, he could almost taste it. He wished that he could somehow make time pass in the blink of an eye and that by the time he closed and opened his eyes; he would find out that he was to be sworn in as president in a few hours. He smiled wryly at his own impatience. And to think that there had been talk in Washington that he was dead politically when he had divorced his first wife, Holly five years ago.

He and Holly had been childhood sweethearts and had gotten married just two years after he graduated from college. They’d had two children together, a boy and a girl, both of whom were studying to be lawyers like their father. Holly had been the perfect stay-at-home political wife. She had been extremely supportive of his career and his ambition, having come from a family involved in politics herself. Her father had been a former governor of the state of Iowa and her mother had taught her how to be the perfect politician’s wife. She had never complained or nagged him for coming home late or neglecting her or the children. She had turned a blind eye to his indiscretions as long as he came back to her.

They had been married for over twenty-seven years when he had begun to wake up in the mornings and wonder whether being a senator was all there was to life and whether that was going to be the height of his political career. The fact that he had more money than he knew what to with and that a lot of people envied his life didn’t really mean much to him. He had wondered whether his dream of becoming president was ever going to be achieved. Then he had gone to a party he’d been invited to in Washington and he’d met Susan.

He had been feeling bored and restless and had decided to go to the party in the hope that it would ease the monotony. Holly had gone to Paris with a few other friends so he had gone to the party alone. His children were both in law school at Yale and were preparing for their examinations. He had spent over an hour at the party but the boredom only intensified. He had been thinking of how he would give it ten more minutes before going to look for his hosts so that he could make his escape, when he turned from the window he had been staring out to find a woman watching him intently. He had looked behind him to see if she was looking at someone else, but he was the only one there.

It had felt somehow strange seeing her watching him and feeling as if it was a prelude to her hitting on him. Normally, he liked to be the one doing the chasing but he didn’t mind making an exception. She had smiled and walked up to him and they started talking. Three hours later they were still deep in conversation. They left the party together and he dropped her off at her place. Nothing had happened that night but Robert knew it was only a matter of time before they became lovers.

Three months after meeting Susan, he had known that she was the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. It didn’t hurt that she seemed to be the one who would help him realize his ambition of becoming president. Holly didn’t understand why he wanted a divorce. She had done all that her mother had told her to do, and she had believed that all was well between them. She had been a good wife and mother and she had expected that they would grow old together. However, in the end she agreed to the divorce, especially since he had paid her off handsomely. In his own way, Robert had loved her and still did but his ambition was greater than his love.

(You can get a copy of DECEPTIO from the WestBow Press Store at http://www.westbowpress.com/)

Right or Love? Part 1

I have not written for some time and I really thought it was time I started writing again. I have decided that I will try to post something on my blog every day. That is every WORKING day except Saturday and Sunday unless I’m chanced to do so at the weekend. Also, I will alternate between writing a blog on my own view of things as I see them and posting and excerpt from my book DECEPTIO published by WestBow Press. Is that okay? Fine.

I had initially thought I needed to write a thesis with each blog but I have changed my mind and will keep it short and hopefully sweet. But I promise it will be the truth.

I got thinking one day and the thought generally came to my mind, how with all the problems in the world, the “rights” that we hold on to have not solved any of them. I won’t say it was as epiphany, but the thought entered to my heart that all the rights (the right to life, liberty, freedom of expression, right to property, family life etc) are a poor imitation of God’s laws and in a way substandard to God’s laws. Taking a cue from I Corinthians 13, the greatest law of God is love and unless we walk in love, we will settle for less than God has in store for us. Let me explain.

I know we all know the story of how Eleanor Roosevelt and her championing the cause of the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, it is my personal belief that when we walk according to the law or our “rights”, we miss the chance to walk in love. Just like I said in one my former blogs Love vs Law, I fail to understand how a married woman, who says she’s Christian, can use to law or her “rights” against her husband. We all know the scenario. He says, “Let’s have children.” She says, “No. It’s my body and I can do whatever I want with it and I’m not ready to have children.” This however, is totally different from what Paul says in I Corinthians 7 v 4 where he says neither person owns their body. I believe that the correct thing would be to have a discussion on the issue and come to an agreement mutually beneficial to everybody.

What then is love? Again, I must reiterate that love is not what Hollywood has painted it. Love has absolutely nothing to do with sex. To understand love, two verses spring to mind. John 3 v 16 and John 15 v 13. If you love, you must be ready not only to give; you must be ready to suffer loss and pain on the basis of what you give. God loved us enough to suffer the loss of his son. Jesus loved us enough to suffer the loss of his life.

(To Be Continued)