How Should Christians View Capital Punishment? Spotlighted Author Sylvia Bambola Responds...

How Should Christians View 

Capital Punishment?

by Sylvia Bambola

This is a tough one.* There are sincere Christians on both sides of this issue. I think the reason is because Christians are generally tenderhearted and believe in redemption. They want everyone to have a “second chance.”

Before diving in, I’d like to share three Scriptures. In Isaiah 55:9 God said, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Our minds are incapable of grasping the mind of God. His way of thinking is not ours and may often seem out of line. But we should understand that God does all things well, and His ordinances, His commands are only for our good. 

The second Scripture is from Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Our job is to trust God and not our own understanding. His is to direct our paths. 

And finally, when we don’t, when we, instead, follow our own inclinations, the path is disastrous. Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

From the above, I think it’s safe to say we don’t always know what’s right or best, but God does. And when we try to figure it out independently of Him, we can get into trouble or make a mess. I believe this applies to the issue of capital punishment. Our opinions will differ because we come from different backgrounds, have learned different life-lessons, and carry our own share of misconceptions and faulty thinking. That’s why it’s always necessary for Christians to defer to the Bible.

So, the important question is, what does God say about this issue? I don’t believe the Bible can state God’s position on capital punishment any clearer than in Genesis 9:5-6. He commands that if a beast or man takes the life of a man, the blood of that man or beast will be required. He then states His reason. “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” Only blood was payment for blood because man was made in God’s image.

But this command is repeated throughout the Old Testament, including in the sixth command which states, “Thou shall not kill.” That word in the Hebrew is ratsach and literally means, “to dash in pieces, to murder, the shedding of innocent blood.” This does not include the killings in war, in self-defense or in an accidental killing (manslaughter). The Old Testament dealt with the last two cases by creating six cities of refuge in order to protect the killer from the “blood avenger”. But in the case of murder--the willful taking of innocent blood--the blood avenger was required to take the life of the murderer.

In Exodus 20:13, Exodus 21:12-15, Leviticus 24:17 and Numbers 35:6-21, God, Himself, gives Moses the ordinances regarding capital punishment. Moses represents authority/the law/the head of a nation/the government. In other words, God is instructing the governmental authority to keep this law. And what He is says is, “he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.”

God also warns, in Numbers 35:29-34, what will happen if these murderers are not put to death. “So, these things shall be for a statue of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings. Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witness: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die (Here the criteria was set up that it must take at least two witnesses to convict a murderer) Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction (ransom) for the life of a murderer guilty of death; but he shall surely be put to death . . . So, you shall not pollute the land wherein you are: for the blood it defileth the land; and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein among the children of Israel.” So, here we understand that if we don’t put murderers to death, we pollute and defile our land.

God also cautions us in Deuteronomy 19: 11-13 and Deuteronomy 19:18-21,“Thine eye shall not pity him (the murdered—God calls us to walk, not in sentimentality, but in His ways, His laws) but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel that it may go well with thee.” Again, if the murderer is not made to pay with his blood, it will not go well with that nation!

So, we know that 1) God Himself instituted the death penalty. 2) That only blood could pay for the shedding of innocent blood. 3) That if a murderer does not pay with his blood the land becomes defiled and polluted, and it will not go well for that nation. 4) We are not to pity the murderer. 5) A murderer must be convicted by at least two witnesses. 6) If a witness falsely testifies against someone charged with murder, that witness must forfeit his life. 7) The execution of a murderer will serve as a deterrent against further evil.

Ah, but that’s the Old Testament. Surely, Jesus doesn’t expect us to execute murderers today! Well, murder is still forbidden in the New Testament (Matthew 19:18, Romans 13:9, 1Peter 4:15, 1 John 3:15) and since “God changes not”(Malachi 3:6) and Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrew 13:8) and He said that if you see Him you see the Father (John 14:9), we can correctly deduce that God the Father is also the same yesterday, today and forever, and thus assume that the same blood criteria applies to murder in the New Testament.

In addition, Jesus spoke these sobering words in Matthew 5:17-19, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.” Oh, dear!

As we delve more into the New Testament, it’s important to remember that the Old Testament Scriptures regarding murder were Scriptures in which God was speaking to Moses—who represented the law/authority/government, and as such He was laying a pattern. In other words, God was establishing national law for Israel and all future Godly nations.

Opponents of capital punishment often use Matthew chapter 5 to build their case. But here Jesus is talking to the multitudes. (Matt 5:1 “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain . . . and said”) Jesus is not speaking to the lawmakers, authority, government. He was speaking to the masses, the common man. The substance of what He said also makes it clear that He was addressing two very distinct groups of people: the law breaker or criminal and the victims of crime.

First, let’s look at what He said to the “criminal,” the breaker of God’s law. Jesus said that in the “old time” under the law of the Old Testament, the law says, Thou shalt not kill. However, under the “new” Testament Jesus is now coming down even harder. He said if you’re even angry with your brother without cause or if you speak evil of him, you’re in danger of judgment. Jesus has raised the bar. He is now saying that hatred and slander are akin to murder! He is saying that the standards are even stricter than they had previously thought! Who hasn’t heard an angry person assassinate someone’s character with his words! And 1 John 3:15 further confirms this, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer.”

Now, let’s look at the second group—the victims of crime. He said it used to be an eye for an eye (a punishment that fits the crime). But now He says don’t look for revenge or retaliation, but forgive, forgive, forgive! If someone steals your shirt, give him your coat too (forgive, forgive, forgive) and if someone forces you to go a mile with him, don’t just stop there, go two. Jesus is saying that the victim’s attitude (NOT the state’s attitude or the law’s attitude or the government’s attitude) toward the criminal must now be one of forgiveness, meekness, and forbearance.

Having said that, is there no way out for murderers other than the death penalty? Hasn’t a “new” dispensation come with the “new” covenant? That answer is both yes and no. Here’s why. Remembering that sinners are saved by grace and that the blood of Jesus covers our sins, then one can say with assurance that if someone murders (sheds innocent blood) and comes into the saving knowledge of Jesus and repents and puts that sin under Jesus’ blood, then the blood requirement of the blood avenger is fulfilled. Jesus’ blood, in that instance, is the perfect fulfilling of the law. It becomes the substitute for the blood of the actual murderer. It appeases the outcry of the innocent blood that was shed. And Jesus’ blood appeases God the Father’s sense of justice. 

That’s why I wanted to see Carla Fay Tucker pardoned by then Governor of Texas, George Bush. Carla had come to the Lord (I’m not talking about a shallow “jail-house” conversion that sometimes happens because a prisoner wants the benefits for appearing “reformed” like early parole, etc.). Carla had repented, and she had put her sins, though serious and horrible, under the blood of Jesus. But she was not pardoned and went home to be with the Lord.

However, when a murderer has NOT come to the Lord, has not put his murder under the blood of Jesus, then the blood requirement still stands. That person is, in effect, under the Old Testament law and his blood is required. If that blood requirement is not met, then it contributes to the defilement of the land.

I know our court system is not perfect; that sometimes the poor don’t get the representation they deserve; that mistakes are made; that two witnesses (DNA, eye-witnesses, etc.) are NOT used, and circumstantial evidence will convict someone, which I don’t believe is scriptural. These issues need to be dealt with. However, just because they exist, they do not negate the validity of capital punishment. Capital punishment is an established law of God. A law valid throughout both the Old and New Testament.

Do Christians have a role in ministering to prisoners, even murderers? Yes. We can pray for them and/or minister God’s love to them. And that especially includes ministering God’s word so they can come into the saving knowledge of Jesus, which means that even if they are executed, like Carla Fay, they will be with our Lord for all eternity. But trying to keep a convicted murderer—who has not repented and accepted the Lord and put his sin under Jesus’ blood—from being executed, is not scriptural and is in fact—wrong.

God will never contradict Himself (His Word). If something in His word sounds contradictory the fault lies with us, not Him. We simply don’t understand the Scripture and need to spend time studying it. No one has all the answers, nor will we until we get to heaven and then we can ask the One who does. But knowing the Word of God as much as possible will help prevent us from being misled or deceived.

According to God’s Word, I don’t think we have any choice, as believers, but to acknowledge that capital punishment was instituted by God and is scriptural. Line up a hundred people and all of them may give you differing opinions. But we are not to hinge our convictions on the prevailing opinions of the majority or even our own opinions. In the end, the only opinion that matters is God’s.

~~~

*Based upon her book, which included the issue of Capital Punishment, I asked author Sylvia Bambola to provide a full article on this important issue. Many of us have had mixed feelings about Capital Punishment. I believe this article provides a solid basis to provide God's answer...

Note that the color highlights are mine, inserted as I read her response to my question. For me, it answered all that I needed to know...

And...thank you so much, Sylvia Bambola, for speaking to us through your book and this additional article! God Bless you and your future writings!

Spotlight Author, Sylvia Bambola, Pens First Non-Fiction, Following the Blood Trail from Genesis to Revelation!

Sylvia Bambola was born in Romania but lived her early years in Germany, a Germany still reeling from the devastation of World War II. At age seven she relocated with her adopted military family and saw the Statue of Liberty and America for the first time. But the memory of those years in Germany lingered and was the inspiration behind her novel, Refiner’s Fire, which won a Silver Angel Award, and was a Christy Finalist.
Life as an “army brat” gave her the opportunity to live in several states, including Hawaii. Then came nursing school in New York after which she married and began a family. Raising two children and being the wife of a business executive made for a busy life. So did working in marketing for a telecommunications company, then a medical software company.
Her first novel, A Vessel of Honor, written under the pen name of Margaret Miller, garnered a Small Press Editor’s Choice Award and was seriously considered for production as a television movie.
Bambola is the author of six published novels, lives in sunny Florida and has two grown children. She’s been a guest speaker at Women’s Aglow and various church functions, is a Bible study teacher at her church, and is learning to play the guitar.

Following the Blood Trail From

 Genesis to Revelation:

Why Jesus Had to Die and What it Means for Us

By Sylvia Bambola

We are all living in a timeline, 

a timeline set by God, Himself, 

and one that will last

 only until His full plan is accomplished; 

the plan to reconcile both heaven and earth

 back to his perfect order;

 the plan to uphold His holy name and character.

And it involves blood.

The first nonfiction book by author Sylvia Bambola is more than I could have hoped for. The title obviously gives what will be reviewed. It implies a full scriptural analysis of how Christ came to die on the cross for all of us.

The key difference for me was that, I felt that it was Jesus who had brought salvation to us. That if we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, we would be saved.  As I finished the book and write these words, a scripture came to me:

1 Corinthians 13:11...11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

It wasn't that the book presents new information--rather, what Bambola has done is present the "entire story." As a child I had accepted Jesus...Now I was being led, through Sylvia Bambola's book, to consider and learn God's Full Plan! Wow!  Again, nothing new, except that God had surely inspired the author to tell us the whole story, not just parts that we have heard preached for many years, or not just Sunday School lessons that we studied at various times.

Or, perhaps, for me, it is just that Sylvia Bambola's book was published at a time when there is much chaos and divisiveness--that people are looking differently toward those who we once called neighbors, friends, family.... and are being incited to do so...

Many are now saying what is happening today is part of a plan...and they are working diligently, perhaps without seeking God's  guidance, to ensure that it moves forward...  My first experience with The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey years ago when we were to expect the Second Coming, which never happened, of course, had led me to believe God was the maker of the schedule, not man.  

And I needed to have confirmed that God does indeed have a plan and a timeline for what will happen... But not necessarily that told by some people.

Bambola starts by an overview of the beginning...through Biblical reference and through analysis for context. Although the beginning is provided in Genesis, further reference reveals, as some may have already known, that earth had been populated prior to the story of the Garden of Eden and the creation of Adam and Eve.

Apparently, Satan had charge of the earth prior to his fall. He was the watchman. This may explain why he was still in the Garden of Eden after his fall and after the six-days of creation, and why he wanted to tempt Eve to sin in order to regain his authority.

The author also explores what I learned was called the "Gap Theory" which, essentially, was the conclusion I had long ago reached. Essentially, this refers to the possibility, the probability that time elapsed between various Biblical references; e.g., between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2.  After reviewing various issues, including scientific study of the earth itself, she then states: Based on the Gap Theory, we can understand how both can be true. There is no contradiction. I was feeling better that, perhaps, I really wasn't still in childhood, rather I just hadn't known the words, the whys and how it happened as a complete unique story that...followed...the...blood... My thank you to the author!

Chapter 2 then begins the review of the Blood Trail through both the Old and New Testament, with, I believe, a clear statement that Blood sacrifices must continue, even though Christ died for us. Many of the references will be shown: the Passover, the story of Cain, the sacrifice of Isaac--and many more. Reading them sequentially, to see the trail, is surely a wonderful learning experience revealing the omnipotence of God and His words on the power of innocent blood...

For me, this was an important part of the Trail we followed, because the issue of Capital Punishment came to the forefront. (See additional article by the author, tomorrow, here at BRH.)

You see, I believed in Capital Punishment, but had always heard arguments against that were not satisfactory. How could children and adults be murdered, especially for sexual or human trafficking reasons, etc., and not require that the individual be also killed?  Bambola concludes that it does "involve blood!"

So, we learn in Numbers what happens when we do not put murderers to death. We pollute and defile our land. And Deuteronomy 19:13 warns us that “Thine eye shall not pity him (the murderer) but thou shall put away the guilt of innocent blood..."

This is a book that needs to be on your personal library shelf. It is effortlessly read (and reread) and referenced, providing sufficient information and research to feel confident that the writer has acted to present and support the book on behalf of God's Word. I understand she plans on continuing this effort and look forward to similar reference books, while at the same time, hoping her fictional stories will also continue.  This book has both a glossary and a list of questions for book clubs or study groups!

Sylvia Bambola has proven to me to be an outstanding writer and an individual who I feel truly writes inspired books. If you are looking for an author that effectively and honorably pulls God's words into her writings, do read her books! 

And, for this latest nonfiction book, it is a must-read for those who seek to learn more about the Words of God in the Bible...


GABixlerReviews

Continuing spotlight on Sylvia Bambola, with The Daughters of Jim Farrell!

...From this perch on “their” hill, Kate saw a billowing cloud of sooty-looking smoke that made her heart plummet. The last time she saw something this large the William Penn mine had exploded, killing five. Many claimed that Pennsylvania coal country took one anthracite worker a day, through injury or death. But here, in Schuylkill County, home of the most dangerous anthracite mines in the world, she knew the number was often higher. 

When she opened the window the deafening shriek of the breaker whistle filled the room. “Is it the Sherman?” Mrs. Clayton repeated. 

Kate put her arm around the trembling woman. Only yesterday, Widow Clayton told everyone how her grandson was promoted to fire boss at the Sherman Colliery. 

“No. The smoke is further west. It’s got to be the Mattson.”

“I think you’re right,” Virginia said, wiping her wet hands on a rag. “The Miner’s Journal has been predicting trouble for weeks, ever since the railroad took over the Mattson. And a few days ago some of their coal cars were derailed and the mine boss got a ‘coffin notice’.” 

“Could just be fire damp,” said Colonel Smyth, a retired Union officer who had distinguished himself at Vicksburg. “The miners are always grumbling about the marsh gas at the Mattson.” 

“Or maybe it’s a cave in,” said Miss Rodgers, the spinster piano teacher who, some say, was once a famous stage personality. 

“Aren’t most mining accidents caused by falling roofs?”

“It’s no cave-in. And not fire damp, either,” said Clarence Thumbolt, a retired railroad man. “It’s the Mollies. Who else would send a coffin notice? It was a warning there’d be trouble. And no one can conjure up more trouble than that bunch. This is their doing, mark my words.”

“If it is, perhaps they have a reason,” returned Jasper Wright, the new dentist from Philadelphia who seldom left the boardinghouse before ten to open his office. 

“And what would you know about these troublemakers? Being an out-of-towner and all,” demanded Thumbolt. 

“I’ve been associated with these parts for more than thirty years and could tell you stories that would curl your hair. Why, just a few years back didn’t the Mollies assassinate Patrick Burns, foreman of the Silver Creek Colliery? A good man, too. Killed him because he caught them stealing from the company. And two years ago it was poor Morgan Powell. The Mollies killed him just for being a Welshman! You don’t want to get on the wrong side of that bunch. Believe me, they could bring down a whole mine if it suited them.” 

Jasper Wright jutted his chin as he secured one of the small pearl buttons of his gray waistcoat. “Sometimes bad conditions produce bad men, sometimes."

“Whatever the cause, it’s sure to be serious.” Mother said, ending the conversation. “Kate, get my ointments and some clean rags. We need to go.” “I’ll come, too,” Virginia said. 

“No, just Kate. Her stomach isn’t as queasy as yours. No telling what we’ll see. You stay and finish scrubbing the knives with brick dust, then make that sassafras solution for Charlotte.” She lowered her voice. “And see that Charlotte washes down all of Mrs. Clayton’s furniture.”

~~~

2016 READERS' FAVORITE BRONZE AWARD WINNER for Christian Historical Fiction

The Daughters of 
  Jim Farrell

By Sylvia Bambola

Many of my relatives have worked in the coal mines--one uncle, I remember, had to crawl in to his work area and stay on his knees during the time he was working... I learned from this significant historical story that they were called Monkey Holes at that time and were assigned to those less in favor... We learn that the Irish workers were often chosen for these jobs and trouble was stirring...  The Molly McGuires was a secret organization of Irish coal miners in Pennsylvania and in other areas. We learn that many of the things that happened were often blamed on the Mollies... I enjoyed having the opportunity to read about those early times in my home state...

But there is so much more complexity to the novel than expected. The basic thrust of the mystery which will be solved is that the father, Jim Farrell, of an important family, was charged and hanged for murder. His wife and daughters were forced to convert their home into a boarding house, with his wife, moving quickly to convert as many rooms as possible into living quarters for renters. Even the daughters had given up their own bedrooms. Much of the book shares about how hard they worked to maintain and provide quality service for those who now lived in their previous home.

But none of the daughters were happy in the change of their circumstances--they were now looked down upon and rejected by the elite of the town. Only Charlotte had maintained some connection since she had been involved with the son of one of the important families. But his mother made it quite clear to Charlotte that she was working to break off their arrangement! In the meantime, it took all of them to clean, cook, and serve meals.

Kate, the oldest daughter had never gotten over her father's death, nor the shame that came with the family now being social outcasts. Her mother had requested that they move on and live as best they could. But Kate wanted to find out who had actually killed the man for whom her father had hanged. And she wanted to clear the unwarranted shame from their family name. She wanted to hire a Pinkerton Detective... and was asking her sisters for money. Charlotte finally gave her the $10 she'd been saving for her trousseau but Virginia was not quite so willing to give up her savings to purchase a printing press, since she planned to start a town newspaper...

The sight of both sisters so downcast pricked Kate’s heart. Love is patient, love is kind, love doesn’t seek its own way, she heard her mother’s voice drone in her head. Oh, why was she always trying to get her way? 

Why was she so headstrong? Her sisters were right, she was a bully. That would explain why it was so easy for her to overlook their feelings: Charlotte’s broken heart and Virginia’s dashed dreams. Oh what a wretch I am. And was Mother right too? In saying Kate had allowed a root of bitterness to take hold? 

What did bitterness look like, exactly? Did it look like tall gallows, and the bound and hooded body of her father dangling at the end of a rope? She closed her eyes. Was it so wrong to seek justice? 

“I’m sorry about Mrs. Gaylord,” Kate said, opening her eyes and looking at Charlotte. “And I’m sorry about your newspaper,” she added, turning to Virginia. 

Life had been much simpler when Father was alive.

~~~

The Pinkerton Agency had already earned national attention. Kate felt they needed to go out of town for help, since the railroads, the mine owners and business owners in town seemed to be in control of everything. 

Joshua Adams arrival to town was not a happy one...First of all, he wasn't the respectable-looking older man who could be trusted and depended on... Instead, his appearance was startling to the entire family!

He carried a bulging, scruffy carpetbag and wore a brown, wide-brimmed felt hat that only countrymen or farmers wore. His black, double-breasted frock coat had sloping shoulders and opened to reveal a rumpled, beige waistcoat with notched collar. Around his neck was a black silk cravat, loosely tied. His beige trousers flared at the bottom and only partially covered his boots. Flared trousers had gone out of style years ago; so had sloping shoulders; and a farmer’s hat . .

Joshua was not the man they had expected--that they had given up their hard-earned savings to hire. None were happy, but Kate felt they had to proceed since he was assigned to their case... Then Joshua made it worse, by telling the four women that he wanted them to say he was a visiting cousin so he could work incognito. That really separated him further, since as good Christian women, they did not lie and were upset that he had even asked...

But none of them wanted to forfeit their money...The investigation began... While the life of the community continued, with the four women busily working to serve their boarders... Except, lots of different activities started affecting each of the daughters. Kate was being proposition because of her lowered status... Charlotte was afraid of never marrying into the type of social family where she was most comfortable, while Virginia started writing articles for a newspaper that upset people in town...  

Of course, the three daughters each had to deal with the romantic side of their lives... It was interesting to watch as each of them moved forward into finding their lives as women, independent, and able to make their own decisions. One character I particularly found compelling was a young boy whose hand and part of his arm had been ripped off as a breaker boy. We meet him because the only thing he could do to work was to do errands for the town's people...and one of the sisters in particular.

The investigation keeps readers guessing and relationships tend to result in dangerous or uncomfortable situation for the daughters, until one was actually kidnapped...

Bambola inserts mining terminology into the narrative with no difficulty and readers learn much about actual mining operations...and accidents that have occurred for various reasons. The Christian aspect is not as prominent in this novel as in others--but rather, inserts moral issues and decisions as they are relevant to the story itself. The murder mystery merged within the takeover of independent mines by the railroad is extensive and reveals the various ways by which criminal actions are peripheral to the dirty, dangerous, and hard work of those who actually work the mines, together with those family members who care for them and constantly pray that they will see them come home at the end of each day.

For me, this was historical fiction at its finest, combined with a mystery as well as romantic suspense. I could have been happier with a different ending, but, then, that apparently was not what God had planned for the three daughters of Jim Farrell. Read this author! She's a fantastic writer, with a different story to tell in each book. Her variety of topics brings a new adventure and I find I keep going back to read more...So, do check out all my reviews by searching on the author's name. All are definitely recommended 

Watch for my review of her first nonfiction book on Monday, with a followup article by the author...

GABixlerReviews

Mercy at Midnight - Second Personal Favorite Novel for 2018 by Sylvia Bambola!

Jonathan Holmes barely stirred when the old grandfather clock chimed. But it did bring him earthbound enough to smell the musty Parthia wool rug, feel his head soaked with perspiration, feel a tingle in his right hand where his head had been resting. 

My soul pants for you, Lord, just as the deer pants for water. 

He tried to continue praying, tried to rise heavenward again, but couldn’t, so he just remained sprawled on the floor. You know I want to do Your will. He rolled onto his left side and began exercising his hand. But I don’t understand, Lord. Why change things now? When Your Spirit is beginning to stir the congregation? When the numbness in his hand turned to pins and needles, Jonathan pulled himself to his knees, then lingered a moment in hope of hearing an answer. There was none.

“‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path,’” he whispered the familiar verse, a verse he had felt the Lord tattoo on his heart more than once.

“Pastor Holmes? You in there?” The voice and the impatient knocking brought Jonathan to his feet. He unlocked his office door without bothering to put on his shoes, which were taken off in anticipation of being on “holy ground." 

“My . . . if you aren’t the prayingest pastor I’ve ever known! ‘Course I haven’t known that many. After all, Pastor Sorensen was here twenty-five years. But if I tried, I could come up with a few names, and none of them, as far as I can remember, ever spent as much time in prayer as you.” 

Jonathan grinned at the church secretary and noticed that her gray, steel-wool-like hair smelled freshly permed. “Nice hairdo, Gertie.”
Jonathan Holmes stood in back of the sanctuary listening to the choir. “‘All to Jesus I surrender.’” His heart soared. Oh, the tender persistence of God. 
“I give up, Lord. I surrender,” Jonathan whispered. What else could he do? He had been wrestling with the Master for two weeks. 
But even as he stood there, Jonathan felt a tiny pocket of resistance, a little Alamo raising its battle flag. He tried to identify it. Ambition? He didn’t think so. Pride? No . . . well . . . it could be. Hadn’t he felt a bit of pride over being chosen to pastor this prestigious old church...

~~~

Mercy at Midnight

By Sylvia Bambola

I've read many Christian novels in my life, but, for me, I have never been more certain that this book was inspired by God. Tears flowed, joy embraced, and each page walked through a perfect plan that is revelatory of what God could be doing in each of our lives, without our knowing it...

Of course, a good writer can create a wonderful plot, placing each character where they should be, but this book flowed supernaturally through each event, so perfectly presented that the reader actually feels God's spirit at work in the story of three main characters: A Pastor, A Reporter, and a Homeless Man. Each of the other characters are also so important to the overall effect of the story that even the villains are obviously evil as soon as we meet them... well, maybe not because, after all, this is a suspense thriller/mystery and Bambola does an excellent job in keeping us guessing right to the very end...

Sometimes, the power of the message is so much more important than the plot, don't you think? At least it was for me.

Jonathan Holmes had given his life to Christ in his very early years and now found himself as pastor of the largest church in the area... But, he wasn't yet satisfied. His constant prayers were for a revival and he spent hours in prayer, seeking God guidance to allow him to bring that about... Though, he found that he was frustrated because the pastor of the church was required to handle too many administrative duties that pulled him away from His God.

But God had other plans...plans for Jonathan's future that was so different, so, actually, alien, that he began to doubt God's direction.  But, finally, Jonathan resigned and became willing to follow where he was led...

Cynthia Wells was a reporter--a great reporter who had led the way to major situations in her area being covered...But she had a strange habit--perhaps led by God?--she was obsessed with reading obituaries... and perhaps from a secret from her childhood that she'd never gotten over, had nightmares about...and...now, was being placed directly in the location of the man she had once wronged... She didn't even know God, and especially, didn't think she could be forgiven...

There was no point in rehashing the past. Somehow she had to find a way to let it go. Still, even now she couldn’t stop thinking about how easy her life had been compared to his. And how much her selfishness, her weakness had cost him. What was a person to do, with a secret like hers? Was there no remedy? No forgiveness? Was she doomed to have nightmares the rest of her life? Or was there really mercy at midnight?

From that she had noticed that there were a number of homeless that had been found dead...plus, a former leader of a homeless shelter mission had been killed, supposedly in an accident. Cynthia had tried to learn more, but people in the area wouldn't talk to her, a reporter.

She talked her boss into allowing her to go undercover...as a homeless person. She knew that a "Turtle" and a "Manny" were now dead and discovered that a friend of theirs, Stubby was being followed. Those who had killed the other two thought he might know where whatever had been stolen was. But Stubby had not been involved. Turtle had sought help from Stubby, but he had turned him away, not able to offer anything but a little money. Shortly after Turtle had been killed...

But what was Stubby supposed to do? Hadn’t he warned Turtle? And Manny, too? But the thing was done and couldn’t be undone. He was no miracle worker. He wasn’t God. What did Turtle want from him anyway? But even as Stubby lay curled in a ball, he knew he’d try to come up with a plan. Turtle was the best friend he had—now the only friend since Manny ended up in the dumpster. Slowly, Stubby rolled off the bed and onto his knees. He knew he was a jerk for doing it. What was the use? He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, trailing a smudge of dirt and tears. It was clear what the Almighty thought of him. God had wasted no time in trashing Stubby’s prayers for Manny. Put them right in the garbage where they belonged. But he thought it mean of God to place Manny right alongside them... and take notice of poor, old Stubby White. Maybe this time, Stubby’s prayers would be answered. And if God didn’t answer? Stubby shook his head. He didn’t know how much longer he could hang on. Maybe he’d just give up and stop trying altogether. He balled his hands into fists even though it brought a fresh wave of pain. He had to get this right. It might be the last chance he had of getting it right. He closed his eyes and dropped his head against his chest. “Please God, I can’t go on like this no more. I’m a mess. My life’s a mess. I got nothin’ to keep me goin’. If you don’t help me, I don’t know what I’m gonna do. Please, God, You just gotta help me and . . . Turtle.”

Jonathan was not thrilled to be told by God that he was to reopen a mission for the homeless. Not only was it in an area of town where he had never been, but he found it hard to consider loving all those that would be coming to that mission... and there were many... Thankfully, he had been guided to a woman who had worked in the mission before it had been closed. Miss Emily is a delight--one of those rare individuals who glow with God's love and you can't help but recognize her faith and the love of God for all. In many ways, she was the glue that would hold together all of the work to be provided to Jonathan's new congregation. And a whole lot of prayer! From his old church and all that cared about the neighborhood and the homeless... Businesses started contributing anything needed, food, clothing, home supplies...all to come in routinely

And each of these individuals--Jonathan, Cynthia and Stubby wound up at the Mission...placed in danger as a local gang, a hitman, and the pressure and needs of the homeless came down upon each...

But what each of them found was what Mercy did for each of them...

It's been a long time since I've attended a revival--perhaps the last one was with the Billy Graham organization... 

Jonathan wanted to bring an old, dead church to revival (and it did come, right after he left) But, the revival that was brought about by Jonathan's acceptance of his command to go to that Mission, now hallowed, protected ground for God... Ah... Now that was a Revival! At least for me!

Somewhere I read that Sylvia Bambola writes books on separate issues... However, after reading this book, I implore Ms. Bambola to write at least one book or a series, using these characters at the Mission... I've been blessed and I believe God can use the Mission in the future, don't you? This is a time like no other in America...chaos, hate, prejudice...and the homeless and hurting surround us... How will God help?

In the meantime, please consider and share this review as one of the most inspirational books that I highly recommend!

GABixlerReviews

And...One thing Remains

Tears in a Bottle - A Memorable Novel by Sylvia Bambola

Tears in a Bottle by Sylvia Bambola is a gripping story of a hidden part of the contemporary culture. The story of betrayal, hurt, and triumph accurately portrays the real truth behind the political correctness of a woman's right to choose

Vicki Thorn

Executive Director, National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation & Healing

Becky Taylor tried to fly past her father when she heard the car beep. “See you.” 
“Not so fast, young lady! Where’re you going?” 
“Dad, I’m late. The guys are waiting.” Becky cringed. Wrong word. 
“What guys?” “Paula, Katie, the crowd.”
Jim Taylor turned in his chair to peek out the window at Paula Manning’s red Nissan. 
“They aren’t guys, Becky.” She let out an exasperated sigh, and her father turned from the window and looked at her. “Becky Taylor, what’s that purple all over your lips!” 
Becky planted her hands on her hips. She had been planting her hands on her hips like that since she was two years old. As she did, her little cotton top rode up and exposed her navel. She quickly dropped her arms. “If you think you’re going out half dressed, think again. I’ll not have a daughter of mine prancing around the neighborhood with her…with her belly sticking out!”
The teen’s hands were back on her hips. “My belly’s not sticking out.” 
“Upstairs and change. And wipe that goo off your face!” 
“Mom.” The car honked again. “Mom!” Nancy Taylor came from the kitchen drying her hands on a towel. “Mom, what’s wrong with this outfit? Daddy’s never happy unless I look like a geek.” 
Becky watched her mother’s eyes seek out her father’s. “Go change,” her mother said softly. 
“Mo-om!” 
“Go change!” Becky gave her mother a hurt look, then stomped upstairs, but not too loudly. 
When she got to her room, she tore off her top, threw it on the floor, and ransacked her drawers. She took out the green tank she had previously borrowed from Paula and pulled it over her head, then went to the mirror. “Hi Raggedy,” she said, pushing her doll aside to find her comb. “Boy are you lucky you don’t have parents to boss you around all the time.” The doll slumped over and Becky readjusted it so it sat upright against the corner of the mirror. The doll was old and worn, with a tear above one eye. Still, it was the only doll she hadn’t either thrown away or given to the Children’s Hospital in town. Paula said it was because Becky was still a child at heart. Becky giggled. What would Paula think now, if she heard Becky talking to it?
She heard the car honk again and quickly combed her hair. At once, Becky’s eyes went to her mouth. They always did. She wished her lips weren’t so big, so clown-like. Sometimes she’d look at herself and think of a circus. Her mother said she was pretty, but mothers couldn’t be trusted. They always said dumb things like that, as though it was their job or something. She once heard Mary Lou Potter’s mom tell Mary Lou she had the prettiest face of all the girls in her class. Mary Lou Potter? The girl had to be at least a hundred pounds overweight. Just proved her point. Mothers lie. 
So why did Becky believe Skip when he told her she was pretty? Because Skip wasn’t her mom, and guys don’t lie about a girl’s looks…unless.… But that was another matter. 
From the top of the stairs, Becky could see the back of her father’s chair. She thought of bolting down the steps and straight out the door, but stopped herself when she heard her mother’s voice. “She’s seventeen,” Becky heard her mother say. “You need to give her some slack.” Becky heard the snap of her father’s Gazette. 
“She’s pretty like you, Nance, and pretty’s not an asset. Becky’ll find that out. Flowers attract bees and bees are only interested in gathering pollen for their own use.” Becky backed away from the stairs and pressed herself against the wall. 
“No matter how hard you try, you’re not going to be able to stop her from growing up. You have to start letting go. She’s seventeen.” 
“You were only eighteen, remember?” 
“We’re talking about Becky.” 
“You want your daughter going out looking like a trollop?” 
“She wants to fit in. All the kids dress like that.” 
“Like hookers?” Becky bit into her lip. 
“Oh for heaven’s sake, Jim.” 
“I don’t think we should be reminding heaven, do you? An apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Nance.” 
“Becky’s not me.” 
“No. Becky’s going to college.” 
Becky remained pressed against the wall for several minutes after the conversation ended. Only when she heard the noise of pots and pans banging in the kitchen did she slink down the stairs and out the door.

~~~

Tears in a Bottle

You keep track of all my sorrows.

You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

You have recorded each one in your book. 

PSALM 56:8, NLT

By Sylvia Bambola

When I saw the title of this book, Tears in a Bottle, on the wall at Reviewers Roundup, I was intrigued--enough to go out and buy it to learn more...

Of course, much is written about abortion, but I had not read a book from the standpoint of the individual--the one who had actually had one... 

Dear Diary, Today I became a real woman. Funny thing is, I don’t feel more grown up. I feel…betrayed. It was nothing like the movies make it out to be. It was awkward and embarrassing and…painful. It’s not supposed to be like this, is it? Maybe it was my fault. Maybe it’s me. I’m beginning to think there’s something seriously wrong with me. I thought I loved Skip desperately, madly. But something wasn’t right. I tried to fake it. I told Skip it was wonderful for me. I don’t think he believed me. I could tell by the caring way he spoke to me afterwards, telling me it would be better next time, that it usually gets better and better. But what he said didn’t comfort me at all. The only words

that kept ringing in my ears and that filled me with dread were “next time.” Because suddenly I knew there was going to be a next time, and a next time, and a next time. As long as I keep going out with Skip, there could be a thousand “next times.” Because now, how could I ever say “no” to him again? So, Diary, you want to know how it feels to be a woman? It feels sad. It feels very very sad.

~~~

“Every day in this country, forty to fifty women are either critically injured or killed by abortion and—” 
“Maybe neither you nor your people went into that building and pulled that trigger, but you had a hand in it. You have to be held accountable.” 
“Every day, 416 additional women are added to the list of those suffering from post abortion syndrome.” 
Jim Taylor wiped his hands on his handkerchief. “I’ll spare you more statistics, Mr. Taylor, but believe me, there are a lot of hurting, damaged women walking around, hurt and damaged by their abortions. 
The more pressured a girl is to have an abortion, the more severe her post abortion syndrome.”
~~~

This is the story of Becky, in those teen years where peer relationships mean more than her parents' goals for her life. Becky and Skip had been dating and were in love. But did that next step really have to come. Her female friends thought nothing of it, so encouraged her to just go ahead and do it...

She did...and the very night that she had sex with Skip, she regretted it. Even his words of love could not take away her sadness--she knew it was wrong...

And when she became pregnant, Becky panicked...

The author has created a provocative, yet somewhat over-dramatized story of the clinic at which Becky and others had sought an abortion. Extensive drama surrounds this portion of the book--necessary perhaps, but still very hard to read... The chance of having multiple issues about the clinic, related to criminal activities may not be fair; however, the way it is written, allows readers to consider the various potential crimes which may surround the use of abortion for profitable gain... Something quite different than the debate normally seen.

The bright spot of the book is Maggie Singer, leader of the Community Life Center. While she was not politically involved, she was placed in the midst of things because of her job. Many against abortion would seek her help in some way or another, so that she often spoke as the representative to the Assembly.

He was pointing out to her again that abortion was legal and it didn't help his job to have clinics picketed. Maggie quickly asked whether it was legal to have the abortion performed by a drunken doctor--and further, was it legal for the doctor to carve his initials into the stomach of his patient?! And, further, was it appropriate for him to also rape his patient?

No, it was clear that something was very wrong at the largest and most successful clinic in the surrounding area... Many were trying to get solid documentation on what was happening. In the meantime, Maggie would bring information she learned about, trying to help the investigation that was underway.

But Maggie's real concern was always for the girls themselves. Those who came to the Life Center when there was nowhere they could go... But she could not seek their help while they suffered still...

“A room full of them, Kirt. Broken, hurt, damaged. I see them every day. I have to look into their eyes, watch them fight the tears, the self-hatred. It will take years before these girls are whole again.” 

“Will any of them testify?”

“Come on, you know better than that.” 

“So what can I do?”

 “Make the State Health Department do regular inspections. They’re supposed to anyway, but don’t. If it were anything other than an abortion clinic, the Health Department would be all over them. When are they going to stop protecting this industry?”

~~~

When Becky realized that she was pregnant, Skip immediately started talking about getting an abortion. Skip had suggested that they attend a seminar which was approved by the principal and others, but when she and Skip attended, and she saw some of the material, she was disgusted, wondering if she was wrong about things... but went through with the abortion... because her father told her to...

Maggie led a group of 10, called the Project Rachel. They had all had abortions and had come to regret it. The symbolism of the final weeks of class ceremony was conceptually one of the most significant parts of the book for me...

And Becky was just about to begin the next group of Project Rachel... She had seen how Skip treated her after the abortion and knew it would never be the same for them...But now she had to deal with her own life...I found empathy for those girls and women who had gotten into trouble, but did not want to be pressured to abort the child.

Maggie spends many hours talking to the women who come to her Center... Perhaps that is the most important part of the book and which I highly recommend... For we learn that God collects the tears of those women, and helps use those tears to heal and feel His love...

But, at the same time, Maggie started to receive threats--to her work, her job, and possibly to her life... Praying first, Kirt, who loved Maggie, and her went to report everything that had been happening to the police...

Abortion is still legal at the time of your reading this book. Perhaps there will always be strong disagreement about the issue. But, for me, learning about those women who have been pressured to abort, with resulting trauma and a strong sense of guilt, has put a different view into that ongoing discussion...

Maggie spends many hours talking to the women who come to her Center... Perhaps that is the most important part of the book and which I highly recommend... For we learn that God collects the tears of those women, and helps use those tears to heal and feel His love... And be renewed...

GABixlerReviews

Born in Romania, Sylvia Bambola lived her early years in Germany. At seven she relocated with her adopted family and saw the Statue of Liberty and America for the first time. But the memory of those years in Germany inspired her to write Refiner's Fire, which won a Silver Angel Award, and was a Christy Finalist. Her frequent moves as an "army brat" gave her an opportunity to see America and fall in love with her new country. Bambola has authored eight novels, has two grown children and teaches women's Bible studies.