An Unlikely Saint| WELCOME! | | Posted by Allan on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 7:23am |
Hello! Thanks for dropping by. I hope you have enjoyed my book. Please feel free to comment!
Haven't read my book?? Have a look at the back cover:
"Willis Cameron needs a fresh start. Estranged from his overly-controlling father and heart-broken over the loss of his first love, Willis decides to take a job in Ghana (West Africa) as an education specialist for a Canadian Government project.
Once in Ghana, Willis meets Esther Ferguson and finds himself strangely drawn to this missionary nurse, who challenges his agnosticism and reawakens his interest in romance. Sparks fly between them as Esther's faith conflicts with the scientific rationalism of Willis. But Esther is engagd to be married to a doctor back in Canada.
As Willis struggles to find purpose and meaning to his life, Esther grows confused by her increasing regard for Willis. Is her commitment to her fiance faltering? Could she be falling in love with a man who doesn't share her faith?
As ex-patriots in a country experiencing social upheaval and political turmoil, Willis and Esther each struglle with their own internal turmoil, ultimately discovering that God has a plan for each of them which is quite different from their own.
ALLAN CONNOR'S experiences as an agricultural missionary in India and as an adult education specialist in a large water project in Ghana, West Africa, provided him with the background knowledge necessary to write An Unlikely Saint. Mr. Connor has wide experience as an educator and freelance writer for both Christian and secular magazines, and also has served as a Bible teacher in his local church."
Interested in some readers' comments?
Education consultant Shirley Johnson gives the novel a thumbs-up review:
"With fiery sunsets, mud-walled houses and dancing feet, Africa comes to life in An Unlikely Saint. We smell the groundnut stew and roasted yams, taste the mangoes and pineapples. Ghana, despite its poverty, draws us."
The Rev. Andrew Truter agrees: "An Unlikely Saint" is a challenging, unpredictable, yet heartening story that keeps the reader eagerly anticipating the next chapter. In an insightful and incisive manner, Allan Connor has written a realistic love story set in exotic Africa. It contains all the components that make for a rivetiing read and a dramatic conclusion that God's love is all-embracing."
Senior editor Rebekah Chevalier says the book "is a compelling tale of fresh starts, unexpected discoveries, and the power of God's love to transform. Willis and Esther are complex and unforgettable characters, full of flaws and grace.
"An Unlikely Saint" is a deeply satisfying read from a superb storyteller."
If you don't have a copy you can order it from your favorite bookstore or online from Amazon.com or Amazon.ca. "An Unlikely Saint" is published by The Winepress Group.
| | | | | An Unlikely Saint | | Posted by Allan on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 8:44am |
New For 2011!
Book clubs or study groups are in vogue. If you are already a member of one, read on. If not, it's easy to start. Just gather a few friends and proceed as outlined below. I think you will find these 13 questions stimulating.
The questions are meant to by used with my book; each person should have a copy. Read a chapter at a time as indicated. Study the questions by yourself at home, then come to the group perpared to discuss your answers with the group. Opening up to others may be difficult in the beginning but in time, you will find it rewarding.
Caution! Reading this book and studying these questions could change your life!
1. Uncertainty clouds Willis' mind as he is about to land in Africa to begin a new job. He asks himself, "What on earth am I doing here?" (p. 13). He had begun a journey to find personal fulfillment and wonders now if he is on the wrong path. At this point in your life how would you assess your own position? Does your life lack purpose or are you confident that you are in God's plan? Describe your feeliings to the group. How can we know God's will?
2. Esther, as a Christian believer, knew that God had sent her to Africa, yet after a difficult day she asks the Lord, "Why have you brought me to this country?" (p.22). Have you ever felt in the same position, your day darkened by frustration or discouragement? How did Esther regain her confidence?
3. Willis and Esther went to Africa, as professionals, to help the poor. Do you feel that you have a responsibility to help the poor (in your own way)? What kind of example did Jesus set by his life? Can you think of a Bible verse or story that illustrates what Jesus taught his disciples on this subject?
4. Falling in love is not a sure guide to enduring happiness. Willis discovered this (pp. 43, 44); the high divorce rate among North Americans confirms it. What do you think are the causes of so many break-ups? What advice would you give to a young person to help him/her find the right partner and avoid catastrophe?
5. Willis' father had strongly prejudiced Willis against the trustworthiness of the Bible (pp. 48, 49). Have you been able to reconcile science and Christianity in your own mind? (Later, we'll see how Wllis dug himself out of this rut.)
6. As a teenager Willis didn't enjoy traditional Christian church services (pp. 49, 50). Among other things, he couldn't understand why modern Christians had to sing ancient, outdated hymns. Church music still causes controversy today; has your congregation been able to overcome this problem? If so, how was it done? Has your congregation been able to adapt its worship to changing times yet hold fast to the fundamentals of Christian faith? Does your church attract "unchurched" people?
7. Sex before marriage (pp. 58, 59) has become thoroughly ingrained in North American society. Even the sanctity of the marriage bond itseld is being questioned. Is this a case of the majority being wrong? Read Matthew 15:19 and Galations 5:19. The Bible mentions "sexual immorality" 19 times (NIV translation). Are you comfortable wih the idea of same-sex marriage? What does the Bible say about such unions?
8. Willis had "all the material perks that the Western world idolized" (p. 65). What effect have materialism and secularism had on North-American society in general, and on Christians in particular?
9. It bugged Willis to hear Esther say that God spoke to her through the Bible (p. 80). Does God speak to you through the Bible - in a personal way? Can you give a recent example?
10. Willis had been conditioned by his upbringing to steer away from organized religion (p. 107). Have you ever felt the need to peel off the outer layers of tradition and custom, and search for the inner core of truth in Christianity?
11. In response to Willis' criticism of Christians and their shortcomings Esther writes at some length about the biblical meaning of Christian faith (p. 130-134). What does Christianity or Christian faith mean to you? Describe your faith journey. What does it mean to be a disciple?
12. Esther's father, after ministering to several different congregations as a pastor, discovered that many church members had never seriously examined the Scriptures for themselves (p. 134). What about yourself? Do you have a regular quiet time for Bible reading and prayer? If you do, how do you fit it into your busy schedule?
Luke, the Gospe writer, tells a wonderful story about an incident that occurred after Jesus' resurrection (Luke 24: 13-32). Two disciples were returning from Jerusalem when Jesus came up and walked along with them. Later, when Christ has disappeared from their sight, they asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" That experience probably gave rise to the term "child of the burning heart" referring to the burning emotion that comes when the Holy Spirit opens the Scriptures to a disciple; but the term can also refer to people who have a burning love for Jesus. Are you a child of the burning heart?
13. In Chapter 16, Willis, reluctantly at first, starts to read the Bible seriously. And a change of attitude takes place. By the time he gets to Jesus' words at the last supper, he is convincd there is no foundation under his life and that the word "sin"applies to him. He is beginning to understand the meaning of Jesus' crucifixion.
Why is Jesus' death on the cross so important to Christianity? Is there a cross (with its biblical meaning) in any other religion? (Suggestion: have each member of the group research a world religion to find the answer). What does the cross mean to you, personally.
14. Willis has begun to understand the meaning of repentance and his need for a savior. But what does it mean to believe? How does he go about trusting or accepting Christ (p. 185) ? Esther writes to him suggesting a simple prayer of faith (p. 192). But before that letter arrives, Willis comes to faith on his own when the Holy Spirit gives him a verse of Scripture about the meaning of Christ's death. Willis understands and simply accepts it (p. 191).
The burden lifts - he knows he is forgiven, his salvation complete.
For some people the experience of salvation comes quickly, just like Willis.
For others, it is a slower process. But the final result is the same. Do you have this assurance of salvation, of a personal relationship with Christ? How did it come about?
The Story Behind the Story.
Several years ago a friend read the manuscript of my first book, "Dancing On The Floor Of Heaven - and Other Experiences of a Reluctant Pilgrim," and made a surprising comment. "You should write a romance," he suggested.
To move from a serious spiritual autobiography to a work of fiction, especially a romance, struck me as quite a stretch. But the idea stuck. Well, if that's what he wants, I decided, I'll oblige and do my best to give my characters life and blood. Ideas started flying around my head.
That first book, set in India, had actually sprung from a true love story on quite a different plane - my encounter with Jesus Christ. Here was a treasure to share and where better than my second book.
Enter Willis Cameron - young scientist, agnostic, devotee of post-modernism, today's man prejudiced against the Bible - certainly an unlikey saint. Why not let him walk in my shoes and experience the frustration, the pain, the ultimate joy of finding truth? Since the Bible figured importantly in my conversion, why not let it guide him?
Esther Ferguson, missionary nurse, mature in faith, engaged to a Canadian doctor, and of course so deliciously attractive, would make the sparks fly!
But other themes kept popping up as the narrative rolled along. I was struck by a contemporary problem, flaunted by the media - politicians and religious leaders proclaiming themselves Christian but failing to live lives worthy of Christ. So, Willis broadsides Esther with, " If Christianity is such a good religion, why do Chrstians mess up so often?" That question had to be answered. Then there was the continuing face-off between science and biblical Christianity; pre-marital sex, the hallmark of North American society making inroads into the Christian church; the growth of world population, too often forgotten, but the root cause of pollution and climate change. And other tidbits, too. So many interesting sidebars to the main story! I couldn't resist.
I decided to write the book in the first-person singular, allowing Willis, Esther and Evan to tell their own stories, sharing their deep emotions and the complex working of their minds.
Finally, from the literary stew, well-mixed and simmered, emerged "An Unlikely Saint."
Some Personal Data
As for me, I've walked such a long road that I'm old enough to be cast on the scrap heap! But life has been interesting.
An unexpected turn of events after university graduation landed my wife, Pearl, and me in India. Those nine years as an agricultural missionary were among the best years of my life. Then came a stint in rural development with the Nova Scotia Dept. of Agriculture. A secondment with the Canadian International Development Agency took Pearl and me to Ghana, West Africa, providing the background to this story.
I'm retired now and coping with problems from the polio I contracted in India.
But you can't keep an old dog down!
Oh, yes, Pearl (did I mention what a fantastic person she is??) and I live in the pretty little town of Port Hope, Ontario, hugging the banks of the Ganaraska River where it flows into Lake Ontario. We're safely secluded form urban mayhem, about an hour's drive east of that monstrous creature called Toronto. We have a terrific son and daughter, and five wonderful grandkids to keep us young.
Now it's your turn
So that's my story; over and out. It's your turn at bat! | | | |
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