FORTY to LIFE

by Dave Jackson

Just one shot, and Ray became a KILLER!Provoked by his gang leader into shooting an innocent guy, Ray now faces a forty-year sentence in Chicago’s infamous prison system. As far as he is concerned, it might as well be for life.In prison, he finds his gangbanger ties difficult to escape and even necessary for survival. Just when he’s resigned himself to this new existence, Ray receives an unexpected gift—forgiveness. Even as he learns that the source of this forgiveness is God, Ray struggles with accepting it. And then the ultimate test When faced with the man who ruined his life, can Ray extend that same forgiveness to him?* * * *Inspired by a true incident, this edition of Forty to Life includes interviews with the father and mother of the real victim as well as a follow-up with the actual shooter.

Genres: Christian Fiction

308 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

About the author

Dave and Neta Jackson are a full-time husband/wife writing team who have authored and co-authored many books on marriage and family, the church, relationships, and other subjects. Their books for children include the TRAILBLAZER series and Hero Tales, volumes I,II, III, and IV. The Jacksons make their home in Evanston, Illinois.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library)]

Rather edgy and gritty for a Christian novel...but still very good.

[Terri]

Forty to life

I'm stingy with five star rating, but this was a very compelling book. I found it to be very true to life,and captured the mindset of individuals going through various situation s.
Dave Jackson based this book on something that really happened, and I like how at the end the reader gets the story behind the story. There are quotes from real people.
I've read some of he and his wife's books, and purport waited to start this till the weekend because I anticipated getting caught up in the book. That's exactly what happened.

[Sandra]

If we heard or read of a fifteen-year-old who murdered an innocent person in cold blood and was sentenced to 40 years in prison, we might think his chances of forgiveness and redemption would be slim to nil and we would be correct.

But God . . .

This book demonstrates there is hope in the most dire circumstances of life.

[Nora St Laurent]

Raymond Slewinski age 14, starts out to prove to a gang leader that he is a man not a chicken. But Ray doesn't expect the feelings he has and see what he does after the gun in his hand goes off. Everything seemed in slow motion to Ray as he watched the blood spray out of the young man's chest and see his skin turn blue. All of a sudden Ray realizes he just shot someone he goes to school with. What had he done? Was Greg going to die? Ray had to get out of there.

Shooting someone in "real" life was very different than shooting a guy in a video game. The person you shot doesn't come back to life. You can't have a do over!! The game is over for good. Ray's world is crumbling fast. He is on the fast track to prison. How did the police find him so fast? There was no get out of jail card in his future. Ray gets arrested and stays in a juvenile detention center until his case comes to trial. Things aren't so bad there. He hears bad things about the adult prisons. By the time his case comes to trial he will be considered an adult.

He is haunted by this message in his head "You do the crime, you do the time? He knew that was the way society worked, but somehow, even 1 ½ years after pulling the trigger, Ray still had not been able to accept that he actually murdered someone. A murderer? How could this be?" He thought he wasn't that bad. This was his first offense. How had things gone so wrong?

While Ray is serving his sentence in adult prison he learns that he could have a second chance at a productive life; even in prison. His cell mate tells him "A guy can turn around if he wants to. God does forgive" Ray soon discovers forgiveness is not a feeling but a choice. A choice he could make that would change his life forever - hadn't Greg's mom forgiven him?

I never really thought about the big differences in juvenile detention centers and adult prisons. Dave is descriptive but not really graphic. I didn't give much thought to the whole legal system and politics that go on before and during a trial until I read this book. Dave does set the mood and creates the heaviness within the adult prison walls effectively. Ray Slewinski is not a perfect kid and slips up many times even in prison. I found myself getting frustrated with Ray and his decisions. I wanted to say to him "Haven't you learned anything?" But I soon realized that my Heavenly Father has probably looked down at me and wanted to say the very same thing. It's the choices I make every day that bring me Life or Death.

My Choices help me get closer to my Abba Daddy or I can completely turn my back on Him. He still loves me and is waiting with open arms for my return. I'm so glad our Heavenly Father is patient with me; He shows me kindness, love and mercy when I don't deserve it. This is the essence of the story. "He Came to Pay a Debt He Didn't Owe Because I owed a Debt I Couldn't Pay." I'm glad that God is God and I am not!! This is a powerful story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD sponsored by publisher.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Kym McNabney]

40 TO LIFE is a well-written book and a great read. One you'll have a hard time putting down and will remain with you for a very long time. The impact from the message of forgiveness in this book and how it plays out in our lives alone is reason enough to read it.

Involved in gang life, Ray Slewinski is provoked into a random shooting of an innocent man. He now faces a forty-year sentence in Chicago's infamous prison system. A system that will try to break him, but God has a different plan altogether.

You can't help but get emotionally involved in Ray's life. The message of forgiveness is so powerful on so many levels. Everyone should read this book to get a glimpse into the prison system, the mind of an inmate, and the insight to God's incredible forgiveness He offers to all of us.

Don't miss out, and pick up a copy today. If God leads you, check into the prison ministry at Willow Creek. You'll be blessed more than you could have ever imagined.

Hebrew 13:3 "Don't forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies."

[Melissa]

Though this book was about a specific boy and his 40 year sentence in prison, it reminded me of the prisons of unforgiveness we all find ourselves in. Such an amazing, touching story about redemption and how Jesus paid our debt for us. I think, in some ways, we can all relate to Ray and his journey to life. I recommend this book to anyone who has experienced forgiveness and has found it difficult to forgive themselves. You will not be disappointed.

[Margaret]

Got some insight on life on the inside...and how tough it is to break from one's past.

[Linda Krueger]

Waiting for a sequel...!