Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Costly Forgiveness with Stacey Weeks


Real life is messy. Scripture teaches us that following the Lord Jesus Christ will be difficult. In fact, trouble is more likely to increase as we walk in opposition to the world. Following Jesus is not easy. We are commanded to do things that are impossible in our flesh, but they become possible as we depend on the Holy Spirit’s power and live in submission to God.  

As I worked on The Builder’s Reluctant Bride, I spoke with many people about forgiveness and our struggle with it. Various people posed similar comments and questions. Such as: If forgiveness was free, why was it so hard? Can you forgive someone who is not sorry? I wanted my characters to struggle with these questions too. But in order to resolve the story, I needed to research the answer.

Timothy Keller wrote in The Prodigal God: Recovering the heart of the Christian faith, “Mercy and forgiveness must be free and unmerited to the wrongdoer. If the wrongdoer has to do something to merit it, than it isn’t mercy, but forgiveness always comes at a cost to the one granting the forgiveness.”

Yes, forgiveness is free to the one receiving it, but forgiveness is never free for the one offering it. Our free forgiveness cost his life. He loved us too much to withhold forgiveness. He died for us while we continued to sin. Someone always pays for forgiveness. I wanted my readers to consider that truth. In The Builder’s Reluctant Bride Jenna must do the hard work of cultivating a heart that forgives those who don’t know, appreciate, or understand how their actions have affected her, and she struggles with it.




Stacey is the author of inspirational romance The Builder's Reluctant Bride (Pelican Book Group 2016 named Best Christian Romance by The Word Guild in 2017), inspirational romantic suspense In Too Deep (Pelican Book Group 2017), and non-fiction book Glorious Surrender (2016 Women's Journey of Faith winner). Stacey lives in Ontario Canada with her family. She is a regular contributor to Women-Together Leadership blog; she enjoys speaking at women's conferences and teaching the Word of God.

  



He Wants a Second Chance. She Says There’s No Going Back. Ten years ago, a public disgrace sent Jenna Jenkins running from her hometown. Now, the success of her professional future hinges on joining her hometown church restoration project. Her partner and team leader on the job is William Scott—expert renovator, volunteer fireman, and the ex-flame who ruined her life. William is in crisis, facing the tightening screws of personal and professional failure. When the interior designer on the church renovation project turns out to be Jenna, William sees it as a chance to make amends. But Jenna wants nothing to do with him. How much will William sacrifice to redeem his mistakes and prove his love? Can Jenna protect her heart this time or will William break her for good?

Watch the book trailer!

The Builder's Reluctant Bride is available for purchase at Pelican Book Group, Amazon.comAmazon.caBarnes&Noble

Download and read the first two chapters FREE here!


Can you direct us to where readers can find you?

Website: www.staceyweeks.com - I post weekly devotionals and regular home renovation projects and crafts under the blog tab. You’ll find links and information on all of my books.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/writerSWeeks - This is where I post questions to readers and collect feedback for projects. It’s also where you’ll find the most up to date information.

Newsletter:   http://eepurl.com/cZgDb9  The newsletter is emailed once every spring, summer, fall, and winter and is full of information, deals, and opportunities available only to subscribers.

Twitter: @WriterSWeeks






20 comments:

  1. Thanks for having me on Stitches Thru Time today!

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  2. What a beautiful testimony Stacey!
    Good luck and God's blessings
    PamT

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  3. Hi Stacey,

    Forgiveness is a difficult topic and it's especially difficult to write about. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

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    1. It was incredibly difficult to write in a way that rang true (because life is HARD and forgiveness is HARD) but also remain true to the call placed on believers to forgive generously.

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  4. Forgiveness is costly, but it's always worth it! What an important theme to explore in fiction!

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    1. It is costly! We are so grateful to receive it but sometimes reluctant to offer it because it costs us much. As we approach Easter, I am overwhelmed again by how costly it was for Christ to forgive our sins.

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  5. I bought The Prodigal God book for my son years ago who politely refused it. SO I read it and was gripped by the need for grace and God's lavish, spend-thrift love for His bride. Cheering for you as you emphasize a message we all need to hear.

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    1. That book impacted me profoundly and forever changed the way I read that story in Scripture.

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  6. Thank you for sharing your beautiful post. Wonderful words help us along the way.

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  7. Forgiveness is sometimes the hardest thing Christ calls us to do yet is one of the most distinguishing marks of Christian character. Thanks for the reminder. Lovely post.

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  8. Thank you for sharing your insight, Stacey. Forgiveness can be hard but is a commandment of the Lord to forgive as He has forgiven us. A joyous Easter to you and yours.

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  9. Going by your post, I believe this story will make a real impact on those who read it. Just what you've said here has made one on me. Many blessings!

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    1. Praise the Lord! Many blessings to you as well.

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  10. Creative cover :) Love it! Thank you for the post!

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