“The rumble was barely discernible, but there was no doubt. Darkening skies, that northeast wind dropping the temperature with each gust, and the rumble; a storm was coming.
Jonas didn’t move a muscle or blink, even though he was processing the sound and feel. He knew the storm was coming, but having grown up in Kansas and spent the bulk of his life in this little rural micropolitan, he was aware that what was brewing behind him was at least 20 minutes away.
He thought for a moment about turning around to see if the billowing thunderheads had stacked themselves into a wall cloud, but that would mean he would have to turn in the direction of the prison.
He just couldn’t, at least not today.”
What you just read are the first few lines of a fiction book I was able to release last year called Jonas. It's a modern retelling of the Old Testament book of Jonah based on the life of a teenager, living right in the middle of rural Kansas.
My hope in writing this book is that I could retell the story of Jonah and, of course, drive people back to the original tale in the Bible itself. I have always been fascinated by the story of the reluctant prophet, and his rebellion that God miraculously turned around.
In fact, I've preached Jonah as a series no less than three times and just spent last summer using it as a theme for camp.
I love the story of miracles, pain, healing, revival, and hope in a God who is merciful, gracious, and relenting.
I originally directed this book toward young adults, but have heard from many people across generational lines who say this story isn't just for them. Last month, the NORTH AMERICAN MISSION BOARD distributed copies to every attendee of the national Replant Summit.
My prayer is that you will find, some hope on your journey of obedience, forgiveness and healing. And, if our friend Jonas can help lead the way, we’d be all too blessed to walk with you!
You can get your copy at BookOfJonas.com and because you're a CrossPointer, use the coupon code CPinsider to get a copy at replacement cost.
“Right now, Jonas would have given anything to have one more memory, one more year, and one more set of mental pictures to scroll through in his mind. But there weren’t any more.
He’d sat motionless on that swing for an hour, face pressed against the chain taut from his body weight. He knew he probably had those impressions of chain links from temple to chin on his right side. He didn’t care.
None of this was unusual because coming to this empty park was a regular part of life for Jonas.
He loved this park, or did he hate it? He was never quite sure.
Suddenly, CRACK, BOOM!
A storm was upon him, summoning him back to the present. His 20-minute buffer expired, so he stood slowly, letting the blood flow back into his high school senior legs after sitting for too long in that child-sized seat.
Jonas rocked forward, never turning around to see what was behind, letting momentum carry him down the hill, back to his car and back to reality.”
Andy Addis
Lead Pastor