: John Brooks
: Breathless Mercy
: BookBaby
: 9781543969818
: 1
: CHF 10.50
:
: Christentum
: English
: 200
: DRM
: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet
: ePUB
With The Entire Universe At His Feet God Chose To Have A Personal Relationship With Us. This is the premise of Breathless Mercy. To many, including Christians, God seems too far away to touch and too holy for us to approach. In the book of Hebrews, chapter 4, verses 15 and 16 the writer encourages us with these words. 'For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.' The stories of the very real people portrayed in this book are in some way representative of each of our lives. We can relate to their choices, that result in times of both grace and disgrace. We understand their struggles and share their fears and shame. We too long for the breathless mercy that God so desires to pour out upon each of us without limit.

CHAPTER THREE

 

HOPE DENIED

 

 

 

Stunned by the apparent lack of concern from this religious leader the traveler, trying desperately to roll himself over, wondered if he had only imagined it. His thoughts still not taking solid hold in his mind, he reasoned that maybe he had just imagined it. “That had to be it,” he thought. “One of such evident piety would never have left him to meet his fate alone.”

 

Slipping back into unconsciousness he was unaware that a being shining brighter than the sun itself stood guard over him. He was not alone….. It would be what seemed like hours before he was again awakened by the sound of footsteps coming down the dirt road in his direction.

 

_________________________

 

Traveling in and out of New York City we were given a very specific route to get to our location and then home again. One evening after an exceptionally long and cold day of working in the streets we made a wrong turn on our way home.

 

Still deep in the city we hoped that we could just circle around and get back on our designated route. What we did not know was that this detour was more divine than mistake. In the dim light of an early winter evening we approached a line of limousines pulled over at the curb. The neighborhood was not the best and I wondered what all of these luxury vehicles were doing here. To my surprise, I along with all those traveling with me would soon be introduced to a hidden part of life here.

 

From out of the shadows we saw women in full length mink coats approaching the limousines. Dark tinted windows rolled down as the women opened their coats. Doors were opened and the women disappeared into the vehicles. It all took place before we fully realized what was happening. These women were being bought and sold in the business of prostitution and sexual slavery. No one seemed to notice or care and the city continued on as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

 

As we drove out of the city my thoughts were conflicted. I felt relief to be out of that place and back to where things made sense, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that in the midst of the terrible things I had witnessed, the burning love of Jesus was present. I couldn’t help but believe that Jesus wept……..

 

__________________________

 

Sitting here tonight, writing these words as I think back over the years to this incident I still can’t shake the feeling that in the midst of all that was wrong and evil that night the Savior was present, His hands extended to pull these precious ones to Him. I’m sure some in the church might disagree with me. Others might be appalled that I would imply such a thing……… but I stand on the truth that Jesus came to set the