Night Stories, A Review by Brenda Leyland

Night Stories, A Collection of Devotional Writing
Author:  Kimberley Payne
E-book:  3,372 words
Published:  SmashWords, 2012
ISBN: 9781476482309


I enjoyed reading Night Stories because I have experienced my own 'God' dreams. I appreciated the opportunity to learn about Kimberley's personal dream stories and what she felt God told her through them.

Night Stories is a collection of eight devotionals. These dreams, shared so simply they can be read in a sitting, are actually gems packed with hopeful messages of instruction, insight and encouragement. Since first getting the book some months ago, I've read it several times, and in truth, there is more to each dream's message than first supposed.

I am glad that Kimberley sensed their worth and published this small collection, not only to show that God still speaks to his people through dreams today, but to bless many others as they glean inspiration for their own lives.

I'm thinking this book would make good bedtime reading, as it could set the stage for slipping off into your own God-directed dreams.

A Lesson from Pompeii - M. Laycock

The television screen flashed with images of human forms frozen forever in the throes of death. A man slumped and curled forward, his knees pulled to his chest, his face buried in his hands. Two skeletons obviously entangled in a lover’s embrace. A mother, clutching her child. The people of Pompeii.

The documentary on PBS then gave a dramatic rendition of what the last days and hours of that city may have been like, as the volcano rumbled and then erupted. The program was fascinating and chilling. I was especially struck by a scene in which a family prayed fervently before the shrines of their Roman gods – gods that could neither hear nor help them.

It’s perhaps tempting for us to think we would never do such a thing – never depend on that which was powerless to truly help us. Yet we do it all the time.

Writers are especially guilty I fear, as we get wrapped up in marketing hype and the advice of well-meaning experts who tell us we must bow down at the altars of ‘the platform’ and ‘social networking.’ All of us know such things are of use, and even necessary to a successful career. But what do they really give us for all our effort? They may result in more book sales - or not. They may make our name known in wider circles - or not. And in the end, what does all of that really mean? More books sold is an empty end if lives are not changed. The fame of our name is pointless if it is not connected to the only Name that matters.

I like to think of my work is terms of sowing the seeds that God can use to change lives. In order for that to happen I need to be bowing before God’s altar, worshiping in spirit and in truth. I need to ensure that His Spirit is flowing through me, into the words typed into my computer. I need to be relying on Him, and Him alone to accomplish all that He ordains for my work.

And I need to mean it. Mean it with all my heart and soul, mean it to the point of weeping for my readers. This idea hit me recently when I read a scripture I’ve read many times before. Psalm 126:5-6 – “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (NKJ)

I confess I’m not there yet. I haven’t wept for the salvation of my readers, nor for the healing of their emotional hurts and scars. But I want to be there. I want to care as much as Jesus does. But it’s hard. A lot of distractions get in the way. Things like platforms and social networks. So I keep praying for those moments, moments when tears do fall as I write, and the groanings of my heart have to be translated by His spirit. Then I take heart with scriptures like Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (KJV)


****


This post is an excerpt from Abundant Rain, my devotional ebook for writers of faith. Find it at www.smashwords.com/books/view/58017