This week I watched the DVD of The Perfect Stranger, a movie based on the novel Dinner with a Perfect Stranger. This isn’t a movie to watch for excitement, but it includes a great presentation of the gospel and some strong apologetics. It pretty much entirely takes place in a restaurant. The Perfect Stranger is Jesus Christ, who invites the woman (an unhappy wife) to dinner. She thinks the invite was a joke sent by her husband, so she goes but is met by this stranger.
I listened to the audiobook some time in the last year and was surprised by it. It’s fiction and it broke a lot of rules about how to include worldview and Scripture in novels. But this slim volume was a bestseller, and I enjoyed it. The movie gives a glimpse of what was in the book but not the whole thing. I would recommend both. The film would be great for movie night at church. If you ever have anyone argue with you about various aspects of Christianity, this book and the movie have some sound responses.
Yesterday’s Streams in the Desert entry was so good, I’ve got to share:
God sometimes does influence us with a simple touch or feeling, but not so we would act on the feeling. If the touch is from Him, He will then provide sufficient evidence to confirm it beyond the slightest doubt.
Consider the beautiful story of Jeremiah, when he felt God leading him to purchase the field at Anathoth. He did not act on his initial feeling but waited for God to completely fulfill His words to him before taking action. Then once his cousin came to him, bringing the external evidence of God’s direction by making a proposal for the purchase, he responded and said, “I knew that this was the word of the LORD” (Jer. 32:8).
Jeremiah waited until God confirmed his feeling through a providential act, and then he worked with a clear view of the facts, which God could also use to bring conviction to others. God wants us to act only once we have His mind on a certain situation. We are not to ignore the Shepherd’s personal voice to us, but like “Paul and his companions” (Acts 16:6) at Troas, we are to listen and also examine His providential work in our circumstances, in order to glean the full mind of the Lord. A. B. Simpson
Wherever God’s finger points, His hand will clear a way.
Never say in your heart what you will or will not do but wait until God reveals His way to you. As long as that way is hidden, it is clear that there is no need of action and that He holds Himself accountable for all the results of keeping you exactly where you are. selected
I learned yesterday that my edits for RTM won’t arrive until the 30th, so today I’ll try to get my head back into SDD (I last worked on this manuscript a month ago so I’ll have to read through it to remember where I was and where I was going). I would love to complete this novella by next Saturday. Given I have a week mostly clear of appointments or other obligations, I think it is possible, although maybe a stretch. I’m sure going to go for it for all I’m worth.
I may have said this before, but I find the switching back and forth between multiple projects one of the most difficult aspects of writing. In my perfect world, I wouldn’t begin a new book until revisions and line edits were completed. Copy edits and page proofs aren’t nearly as intense so I wouldn’t have to wait for those. Oh well. I don’t live in my perfect world. Not yet. Maybe when I’m writing in Heaven, I’ll find that’s the way it works.
Don Moen has a new album out, Hiding Place, and I downloaded from iTunes this week. So good. I love all of Don’s worship music, and when I had a weekly women’s Bible study in my home, I often used his CDs for our worship time.
Oh, speaking of worship music, I learned a terrific new song at Women of Faith, so I had to download it too because it just wouldn’t leave my head. It must have been around awhile because so many have recorded it. I went with Israel and the New Breed off of the New Season album. And the song is You Are Good. I find myself singing it as I’m in the shower, walking around the house, driving down the road.
Fall has arrived in full force in Boise. Many trees are already bare. Others are glorious shades of gold or red. Turning up the heat first thing in the morning feels really good as it chases the chill from the rooms. About time for me to fix a stew. Hmm. Cornbread with honey sounds good too. Warm apple cider with a cinnamon stick and cloves.
Well, off to work. The day’s a wastin’.
-rlh-
