Dan Walsh's Blog, page 22

The Church Shooting in TX – Why God?

Yesterday, the nation was rocked by yet another tragic, senseless mass shooting of innocent people. This time, a small gathering of Christian believers worshipping God in a Sunday service. Although the motivations of the killers might be different, two years ago there was another mass shooting during a church Bible study in Charleston. In the aftermath of that shooting, it was abundantly clear, these victims were sincere Christians who lived their lives pursuing God’s will.

I’ve already heard people on social media and even some in the news asking the question, “Why would a loving God allow such an evil thing to happen?” Implied by some is the added thought, “especially to Christians, to people who follow Him.” The assumption is: Shouldn’t God should protect us, because we (Christians) belong to Him? We are His followers?

I know Christians regularly pray, as they should, for God’s protection. When we travel, for example. Or whenever we find ourselves in potentially dangerous situations. Many Christian parents pray for God to protect their children whenever they leave the house. In light of these church shootings, some might feel confused about the idea of praying for God’s protection anymore (“If God isn’t going to protect His own people when they’re worshipping Him in church, when can we ever feel safe?”).

I felt compelled to write this essay for two reasons. First, when I’ve heard church leaders being asked questions like these, so far, I haven’t heard many give adequate, Biblically-sound answers. They quickly shift the focus to offer verses of comfort or encourage people to turn to God for help with their grief and confusion. I get why they do this, but they don’t seem to get the essential struggle people are having when they ask questions like this. Their struggle is with God. Why would He–the One who’s supposed to be all-powerful–allow His own people to be killed and hurt this way? Why doesn’t He stop it before it happens? The unsettling implication that follows is…can we really even trust God to protect us? Does He even answer such prayers at all?

I said there were two reasons I felt the need to write this. What’s the second? It’s this…I’ve heard some church leaders go beyond the idea of just encouraging people to pray to suggest that the reason evil people are allowed (by God) to do such things is, He’s given us all free will and sometimes evil people make evil choices. But to me, this only gets at part of the equation.

Yes, God has created us with the ability to make choices, and we are all accountable to God for the choices we make (for good or bad). But is God powerless to stop people when they make choices He doesn’t like or approve of? Say, a crazed killer who carries a loaded pistol or assault rifle into a church? Can God do nothing at a time like this? If not, can He really be called all-powerful?

That’s the problem we create when we’re unable to respond to hard questions with Biblically-sound replies. I’m not saying we shouldn’t encourage people to turn to God at times like this, and I’m not disagreeing with the idea that God has given people the freedom to make choices. But these things don’t go far enough to explain the tragedies we are seeing. Add to these, all the Christians being martyred and killed for their faith in foreign countries.

Why God? Why do you allow such things?

The problem is, the Bible actually spells out the answer to such questions but, for some reason, church leaders often avoid talking about it. I say “for some reason” when I actually know the reason. Some of you reading this may only know me as a fiction author. For the last 10 years that’s what I’ve been doing, and doing it fulltime since 2010. But prior to that, I was a fulltime pastor for 25 years. During that time, and really for almost 10 years before that, I studied the Bible constantly. And for all of that time, I was a pastor ministering in America.

Why do I add that detail? Mainly because, for all of that time I’ve observed the overwhelming majority of American church leaders only portraying a one-sided, often inaccurate depiction of the God of the Bible. They choose to only dwell on the God of Love, and only preach and teach about His mercy, love and grace, especially for sinners and people who are spiritually lost.

This is true. God really is this way. But it’s not the whole story. Paul said it this way to the Corinthians: “Behold therefore, the goodness and severity of God…” (Romans 11:22). And if you read Paul’s writings, he faithfully portrayed both aspects of God’s nature to the Christians he taught during his life. The goodness of God AND the severity of God. The entire Bible, including the New Testament, portrays both aspects of God’s nature.

In one instance, when Paul was leaving the Christians in Ephesus for the final time, he said these sobering words: “And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:25-27).

This, sadly, is what far too many American preachers have done. They have shrunk back from declaring to people the whole counsel of God. They only ever focus on the verses that speak of God’s kindness, goodness and love. And there are plenty of verses on these themes (thank God for that). But that’s not ALL there is to know about God. That’s not “the whole counsel of God.” Eliminating from our spiritual diet the “severity of God” leaves believers without any clarity or hope when evil things strike them down, or when evil people do evil things to harm them.

The truth is, not only did Jesus and the Apostles, NOT teach that Christians would always be safe and protected from harm. They actually promised the opposite of that. Even at the Last Supper, when Jesus should perhaps be saying kind things to comfort His disciples about His imminent and violent departure on the cross, He said things like:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)
“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.” (John 16:1-4)

These had to be incredibly hard words to hear. But Jesus was not alone in talking this way. He prepared His followers to be hated and even harmed, some even killed, by people who hated the Gospel message. And when you read about early church history, many of them were killed, harmed and persecuted in these and other ways by those who didn’t follow Christ.

Paul, whose faith in Christ came a little later, told Christians something very similar: “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:12) Paul himself would one day be beheaded for his faith. Indeed, it is believed that 11 of the 12 apostles suffered a violent, martyr’s death. This, one could say, was their “reward” for living their lives for Christ.

Not only were they not protected by God, they were prepared by God Himself to expect the kind of hatred and suffering they wound up experiencing in the days after His own violent execution.

So…what’s the right answer to the current questions being asked about why God allows such evil things to happen, even to Christians worshipping in a church? We should be told that this very thing was promised by God as a very real possibility which some believers will experience at the hands of evil, deceived people. It is not the result of God not paying attention or failing to protect His own; it’s actually the fulfillment of things taught in the Scriptures. Things Christians should expect could happen in this fallen world. And, if anything, the Bible indicates Christians who are living in the End Times should expect such things even more.

So…should we ever pray for God’s protection? Is God ever willing to answer such prayers? The correct answer is Yes, and Yes. The Bible is filled with examples of God protecting His people from danger and evil. He even protected Jesus throughout His ministry from those who wanted to kill Him…right up until it was time to lift that hand of protection, so that Jesus could fulfill the Biblical prophecies that said the Messiah had to suffer and die, to become “the Lamb who would take away the sin of the world.”

Like all of you, I’m horrified and saddened for the victims of yesterday’s tragedy and their families. My heart goes out to them and, like so many of you, I’m praying for God’s mercy and comfort to surround them and help them through this extremely difficult time. I wish it didn’t happen. I wish the twisted, evil young man who committed these crimes could have somehow been stopped before he made the evil choices he made yesterday.

And I, like many of you, will still pray constantly for my own loved ones to be protected by God in the days to come.

Remembering Dresden Free Today

Have you read this one yet?

My bestselling suspense novel, Remembering Dresden, is FREE TODAY thru Saturday.

“Best Inspirational Suspense Novel” – 2016 (Reviewer’s Choice Awards finalist, RT Book Reviews magazine)
468 Amazon Reviews in 18 months (4.7 Star Avg).

To get your FREE copy, CLICK HERE.

(Always Free on Kindle Unlimited)

If you’ve already read Remembering Dresden, can you think of ONE FRIEND who loves to read? If so, PLEASE help me spread the word by forwarding this post to them. I do these Free promos to hopefully reach new readers, who might wind up buying some of my other novels. A growing readership ensures that I can keep writing novels full time.

Thanks so much,

Dan

Saving Parker Available Now for Pre-Order

After 5 months of research, writing and re-writing, Saving Parker is NOW AVAILABLE for Pre-Order on Amazon (only $2.99, 25% Off). To me, it’s a powerful story and a fitting conclusion to my bestselling Forever Home trilogy. I believe fans of the first 2 books will love it!

Book 1 of the series, Rescuing Finley, is just BROKE THROUGH THE 900 MARK (900 Amazon Reviews, Avg 4.8 Stars). Book 2, Finding Riley, is up to 229 Reviews (also avg 4.8 Stars).

Saving Parker is a full-length novel and will release on Kindle and Print on Nov 15th (just 1 month away). It will also be available to Kindle Unlimited readers then for FREE.

Here’s the Back-cover Blurb:

After years of abuse and neglect, Parker is found chained in a junk-filled backyard after a drug bust. The little guy is terrified of people. Officer Ned Barringer brings him to a nearby shelter for medical care. When Ned learns how hard it is for dogs like Parker to get adopted, he decides to take him in. He’s also instantly taken with Kim Harper, one of the shelter managers. She offers to train Parker for free and Ned instantly accepts. That same day, he meets his next-door neighbor, a ten-year-old boy named Russell. Russell tries to hide a black-eye, compliments of two bullies at school. This angers Ned. He was also bullied as a child, the main reason he became a cop. But, really, what can he do? A series of tragic events occur. What vital role does Parker play in bringing these three lives together?

To get your discounted Pre-Order copy, CLICK HERE.

PLEASE help me spread the word by sharing this post with a friend. It would be much appreciated. Word-of-mouth advertising is even more powerful than a full-page magazine ad.

Thanks so much,

Dan

Saving Parker – Almost Finished

EXCITING WRITING UPDATE – I just finished chapter 46 of Book 3 in my Forever Home series, Saving Parker (Book 1 is Rescuing Finley). I estimate 9 chapters left to finish. Then we’ll clean it up, get it ready for release.

Still on track for Nov 15th, in Kindle and print.

Then it’s straight to work on Book 4 in the Jack Turner Suspense series. Hope to have that one researched, written and released in the Spring.

Two Labor Day Book Specials

If you’ve only read my suspense novels, now is a great time to check out my more inspirational Forever Home series. Rescuing Finley (Book 1 in the series) is absolutely FREE today (Sunday) through this Thursday.

Finding Riley (Book 2 in the series) is only $3.99 on Kindle (free sample chapter in the back of Book 1). And Book 3 in the series releases in about 10 weeks from now.

To get your FREE copy, CLICK HERE.

If you’ve already read the book, PLEASE considering forwarding this post to a friend? Word-of-mouth advertising is more powerful than a full-page magazine ad.

Chance to Win Free Copy of When Night Comes

Between NOW and Sept 15th, you can enter a Contest to win 1 of 5 FREE copies of my bestselling suspense novel, When Night Comes. You DON’T HAVE TO BUY A THING.

To Enter – CLICK HERE

If you already own a copy of the book, would you forward this offer to someone you think might enjoy it? Thanks so much!

– Dan

 

When Night Comes Hits 500

✳️ EXCITING NEWS ✳️ -

When Night Comes, my 1st Indie novel (and Book 1 of the Jack Turner Suspense series), just broke the 500 Review-mark on Amazon! This is especially satisfying considering this book was rejected by my publisher, because “it’s not your brand.” I really believed in this story and felt most of my readers (and hopefully lots of new ones) would really like it.

Turns out, they did.

So, I wrote it as an indie. THANKS to all of you who read the book and took the time to leave a review. Reader Reviews are the BEST THING you can do to help authors you love be able to keep writing new books. Next to the cover and back cover description, readers look to Reader Reviews the most to help decide whether to buy/download a new book.

To check out any of the 3 Jack Turner Suspense series, click on the titles below:

When Night Comes

Remembering Dresden

Unintended Consequences

 

My Writing Saga from Book 1 till Now

Today, I sent out to my newsletter friends a short history of my publishing journey, so they could understand a little bit about what’s behind the fairly wide variety of books I’ve authored over the past 9 years (18 in all). Here’s most of what I shared (if you’re curious):

My Traditionally Published Novels

To the right, are 8 of my traditionally published novels, all published by Revell (a major Christian publishing house). They were published between 2009 and 2014. I loved writing them all and recommend them all highly (that is, if you’ve enjoyed my more recent novels). I don’t think there’s a dud in the bunch.

All but 2 of them have more in common with my recent Forever Home series (Rescuing Finley and Finding Riley). The Discovery and What Follows After are romantic-suspense novels.

During that 6-year period, I also wrote 4 novels with renowned marriage/relationship expert, Gary Smalley (the Restoration series). I actually wrote these stories: I created the characters and the storylines. They were drawn from Gary’s bestselling non-fiction teaching books (some co-authored with others). He served as an advisor and provided important input as the series unfolded. I’d also recommend these books, although they are a little different than the rest (focused more on significant marriage, family and relationship challenges Christians face).

I should add this…while I do recommend the novels (at least what’s inside), Gary and I DIDN’T LIKE THE COVERS and the last 3 titles. We wrote the books for BOTH men and women, but the publisher decided to market them only to women.

And Yes, the deal at the bottom still holds (email me if you’d like a signed set with matching bookmarks at this price).

The last thing I want to say about all 12 of these novels is — I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE PRICE. If I did, ALL the ebooks would be marked down to $3.99. The publisher controls the rights to all these books, since they are all still “in print.”

The Publishing World has been Turned Upside Down

When my first novel came out in 2009 (The Unfinished Gift), I didn’t know anyone who owned a Kindle or read ebooks. Almost no one used tablets. No one had smartphones. Ebooks represented only 3% of my total sales. People mostly bought print books in retail stores, like Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million.

Starting around 2012, things began to radically change. By 2014, everything had changed. Amazon, Kindle ebooks, and Prime (free shipping) literally began taking over the publishing experience. With this massive shift, most of my published author friends were not being re-signed.

After my publisher turned down my proposal for my next book series (including Rescuing Finley and Finding Riley), I decided the time had come to step out on my own and “become an indie.” They also rejected my Jack Turner Suspense series, saying “that is not your brand.”

Now I Write as an Indie Author

Since 2014, I started writing, producing and publishing my books under my own imprint, Bainbridge Press. With my wife’s help (she really was my main editor for the last several years), I’m getting to write the books I want to write, the way I want to write them, and getting to market them much more effectively.

I’m writing 2 different series now; one that is totally romantic-suspense, and one that’s more similar to the books I wrote with Revell. My plan is to keep writing both kinds of books from now on.

Why? Because these are the kind of books I love to read, not just write. AND…they are actually selling better, getting as good or better reviews, and I’m doing better financially than my best years with my former publisher.

Well, didn’t expect this newsletter to be this long. But hopefully I’ve answered most of your questions and cleared up some confusion. Feel free to email me if you have any additional questions about my books.

When Night Comes is Free for 5 Days

If you haven’t started reading my bestselling Jack Turner Suspense series, NOW YOU CAN with ZERO RISK. The Kindle version of When Night Comes is absolutely FREE for the next 5 days. If you enjoy reading it, there’s a sample chapter for Book 2 at the end, and an Amazon link (then, at the end of Book 2, you can read Chapter 1 of Book 3, and click on its link, too).

Think of it…with Book 1 being FREE, you can read ALL 3 BOOKS in the series for LESS THAN A PIZZA.

CLICK HERE to get your FREE copy of Book 1.

CLICK HERE to get Book 2 (just passed the 400 review mark, avg 4.7 Stars)

CLICK HERE to get NEW Book 3 (36 Reviews in 1 Month, avg 4.9 Stars)

If you’ve already read it, HELP SPREAD THE WORD? Would you consider taking a moment to forward the link of this blog to a friend who likes “clean-read” suspense novels?

Have a great day!

New Novel Here in Kindle AND Print

The Kindle version of my newest novel, Unintended Consequences, released 4 days ago. Hundreds of copies have already been sold. But a large number of folks still prefer to read the “old-fashioned” version. They want to feel the book in their hands and turn real pages as they read (not swipe the screen).

Well, TODAY the PRINT VERSION came out. It’s available on Amazon (in a few weeks, other online stores will carry it). CLICK HERE to check it out, or buy your copy.

Also, the reviews for the book so far have been FANTASTIC. Here are just a sample of the comments:

“This series has been great, but this last book was the best!”
“I couldn’t put the book down and lost sleep. Exciting, fast-paced story.
“I read this in one sitting.”

Have a great weekend!

Unintended Consequences Releases Today!

My Newest Novel, Unintended Consequences, is NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon for only $3.99 (the print edition should be out this week). You can get all 3 books in the set (though each is easily read as a Stand-alone). A 4th book is already being developed.

But my next book project will be to research and and start writing Book 3 in my Forever Home series (the one that begins with Rescuing Finley). It will be called Saving Parker, and I hope to have it ready to release in October.

Before I sign off, a quick note to Kindle Unlimited (KU) members. All 3 books in the Jack Turner Suspense series are also available for FREE on KU. You should be able to get it through KU, starting today. Would you help me spread the word?

To get your copy of Unintended Consequences, CLICK HERE.