Miss Clara Got It Right!

Back in January 1984, a commercial debuted for Wendy’s hamburger chain. The ad featured three elderly ladies examining an overly large hamburger bun with a miniscule hamburger patty. The ladies poked fun at the bun and exchanged bemused comments before being interrupted by the third woman’s question (heard around the world), “Where’s the beef?” I know some of you are young pups, but others of you might remember that commercial. I sure do. Well, that commercial took off and made a media star of the elderly woman. Her catchphrase was repeated on countless television shows, films, magazines, you name it. I remember people joking about it in everyday conversation.

“Where’s the beef?” ended up becoming an all-purpose phrase that questioned the substance of an idea, event, or product. The actress who played the part of the woman asking the question was Clara Peller.

Fast forward to the year 2015. A popular Christian movie debuted called War Room. I’ll admit that when I first heard the title, I assumed it was about a war—as in combat. To be honest, I wasn’t all that interested even though it was a film from a solid, faith-based company. Not that movies about war can’t be powerful—because they certainly can—but as you might imagine, I gravitate toward romantic movies or dramas (without too much combat of any kind). Maybe you’ve seen War Room. If you have, I’m pretty sure it moved or impacted you in some way, large or small. As described the creators of the movie, “War Room is a compelling drama with humor and heart that explores the power that prayer can have on marriages, parenting, careers, friendships, and every other area of our lives.”

In the movie, a young couple, Tony (T.C. Stallings) and Elizabeth (Priscilla C. Shirer), are struggling under the strain of their failing marriage. Tony basks in his professional success and flirts with sexual temptation. Elizabeth’s client, Miss Clara, challenges her to establish a “war room” and to establish a battle plan of prayer for her family. In effect, the “war room” is a room for prayer. And as Miss Clara (Karen Abercrombie) tells Elizabeth, “Victories don’t come by accident!”

So, we have another Miss Clara. In one case, it was the name of the actress; in the other, it was her character name. My point being that both of these women got their point across very clearly in their respective roles. And they made a definite impact.

Now, how does that apply to my books? I want to put meat and substance in the Christian fiction I write. Every time I sit at the computer to write or edit, I pray. I ask the Lord to give me inspiration and guide my hand. I’ve never been one to shy away from incorporating spiritual insights into my books. My characters aren’t perfect by any means, but they’re forgiven and redeemed. As much as anything else, I like to show them living their faith in a way to be an inspiration and in the ways they serve others. Isn’t that what the Lord calls us to do?

A new box set is now available with previously released full-length novels from six contemporary Christian romance authors (in alphabetical order): Leah Atwood, Belle Calhoune, Christina Coryell (one of our Inspy Romance bloggers), me, Jennifer Rodewald, and Janice Thompson. The set is exclusive to Amazon, only 99 cents, and it can also be borrowed through Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited Program. Titled Immeasurably More, it’s based on the scripture from Ephesians 3:20, Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (NIV)

My book in the box set is Love So Amazing, first in my Wondrous Love Series which released in March of 2015. Here is the Amazon link if you’d like to check it out for yourself (a great deal!):  http://amzn.to/1O7Vg1W

Thank you for that little commercial break, but it’s a great segue to my next point. Following on the heels of the release of the box set will be my newest release, Love So Divine, coming in mid-January. In this book, Chase Landers is the Best Man and Heather Montague is the Maid of Honor at the wedding of Ava Carlisle and Sawyer Mancini (the main characters in Love So Amazing). Both Chase and Heather were introduced in the first book.

Chase is an inner-city pastor in Indianapolis, Indiana. Chase deals with tough kids. He knows tomorrow may never come for some of them. He knows he can’t save the world, but he’s going to try, one precious soul at a time. The best way to give you an idea of the types of situations Chase deals with on a regular basis is shown in the excerpt below. On the same night of Ava and Sawyer’s Valentine’s Day wedding, Chase gets a call from one of the older, more responsible kids in his youth group, Jamal. Jamal’s younger brother, Trevon, has taken his girlfriend to a scummy motel in a seedy area of Indy. Chase accepts Heather’s offer to help. Together they travel to the motel to seek out the teenagers and take them both home. I’ll confess that I absolutely adore Chase. He grew up in a tough situation in the Chicago area, and he knows the temptations kids can face. Sure, he can be impatient and stubborn, but he gets to the point, tells it like it is, and he’s tough. Chase is a prayer warrior and loves the teenagers in his youth group with ferocity and passion.

This excerpt will give you a good illustration (from Heather’s point of view as she watches this scene unfold; she’s with Rachelle, the young girl involved):

Trevon gestured to Chase. “Bring it on, man. I can hear that big sermon on your tongue. Lay it on us and then let us get on with our lives.”

“We’re not leaving you and Rachelle here,” Chase said. “Heather and I came to find you and take you home.”

The kid stalked over to the door and jerked it open. “I got my car and we’ll leave when we’re done. Ain’t no one tellin’ me what to do. I’m an adult.”

“Think again.” Within seconds, Chase crossed the room. Reaching above Trevon’s head, he shoved the door closed. He planted one hand on the door and leaned in close. “Just because your body has matured doesn’t make you a man. According to the law, you’re both minors and we need to get you out of here. Now. Get your stuff together. We’re taking you home.”

Trevon stared at him. “Is that right? What about my car?”

The muscles in Chase’s jaws flexed. He leaned so close to the boy they were practically nose-to-nose.

“You’re going to give me the keys and I’ll hand them over to Jamal when you get home. He’ll figure out what to do. You’re fifteen, Trevon. Last time I checked, even if you have a driver education permit, it’s a violation of the law at your age to operate a motor vehicle alone in the State of Indiana. Having another minor with you only makes it worse. If you understand nothing else, understand this, brother: as much as it’s in my power, I’m not going to stand by and watch you do something stupid to mess up your life. Or Rachelle’s life.”

“Yeah? Who says you got any right, man? You ain’t my dad. You ain’t my brother, neither, so don’t go callin’ me that. And you sure as”—he bit down on a curse—“ain’t my friend.”

“Tell me something, Trevon.” Chase didn’t relinquish his hold on the door and, surprisingly, Trevon didn’t budge. “Why do you think I’m here now?”

“I’m thinkin’ Jamal snitched on me.” Trevon poked one finger into Chase’s chest. “That’s what I’m thinkin’. Family’ll betray me every time but friends don’t do that. Friends respect my space and know I have my life under control.”

“Maybe one day you’ll understand that Jamal cares about you.” Chase’s voice remained calm and controlled. “So do I. So do a lot of people if you’ll let them. If trying to help you not mess up is your definition of betrayal, then you need a new dictionary.”

Trevon waved his hand as if dismissing him and turned aside. “Yeah, right. I don’t need you preachin’ at me, man.”

“I don’t call it preaching.”

“Then what do you call it?”

“Truth. Sure, a lot of people call it preaching if I mention the words God, Lord, Bible, religion, cross, faith, salvation, or any number of words they associate with the church. Pick one or all of the above. In my opinion, we need more people telling the truth, especially to kids like you. Yes, I said kids because that’s what you are. Most adults are afraid to speak up about God. They’re scared of risking their reputation. Heaven forbid they’ll be ridiculed or made fun of—teased and belittled. So they don’t pray in public and they hide behind their insecurities. They play along with the majority instead of standing up for what they know is right. And far too many of them blame God whenever anything in their life goes wrong. It’s not their fault, it’s God’s. But that’s not the way it works.”

Trevon moved his hands to his hips and shook his head. “You sure ain’t afraid of nothin’.”

“That’s right, I’m not. You want to know why? Because no matter what, at the end of the day, I can go to sleep knowing I tried my best. If I die in my sleep tonight, I can face God and tell Him I ran the race the best way I knew how.”

“What race?”

“The race of my life. The race toward the finish line knowing I’ve tried to tell others—and show others—how great God’s love can be if they’d only take the step and accept Him. Ask Him into their lives and into their hearts.” Chase stepped closer. “That’s all it takes, Trevon. It’s something you have, and it’s called free will. It’s your choice to make to accept what Christ offers. Nobody else can make that decision for you.” {END OF EXCERPT}

Will this book be called preachy? Sure, by some it will, and for the very reasons Chase noted in the excerpt above. That’s just fine by me. In my opinion, that’s not an insult but a compliment of the highest order. Chase is a pastor with strong convictions. He’s not usually this strong and in-your-face bold, but in this particular circumstance, he’s fearless. He pulls out his New Testament and has Trevon read two verses of scripture. He makes the kid think and plants a seed in the young man’s mind. Personally, I love strong characters like Chase and Miss Clara in War Room! One thing that thrills my heart is that I know my books are being read by those who don’t know the Lord. The stories speak for themselves.

My promise to my readers has always been that I will give them books that will make them laugh (because we need humor in our everyday lives), make them cry, and most importantly, make them think. The Christianity is inherent to the story line because that’s who they are and where my characters live. If one person is impacted or saved by something they read in a Christian book—mine or any other author’s book—hallelujah! Words are powerful, and they are precious. I intend to use them wisely.

When you read one of my books, I hope you won’t close the book and say, “Where’s the beef?” And yes, Miss Clara, victories don’t come by accident. Indeed.

Until His Nets Are Full,

JoAnn
Matthew 5:16