“Believe the Word of God and live in that freedom, or take up the chains from the past and wrap them around your heart.” – Tristan Barrow, a character from the book Memory’s Door by James L. Rubart.
Memory’s Door is the second book in a trilogy by James L. Rubart. Can you read this book without having read the first one – Soul’s Gate? Yes. Will you enjoy it as much? No.
Memory’s Door is the second book in a trilogy by James L. Rubart. Can you read this book without having read the first one – Soul’s Gate? Yes. Will you enjoy it as much? No.
Similar to the first book, Memory’s Door will challenge what you believe. It will question your ability to discern truth in the moment of attack. It will beckon you to a new level of reality where the world around you won’t always be as it seems.
Sometimes the purpose of fiction is purely to entertain. That’s ok, but I prefer something that goes to the next level; a book that makes me think and maybe even shows me something new. Memory’s Door is sure to entertain but it meets you at that next level as well. I recently talked to Rubart about some of the underlying messages of Memory’s Door.
Christian Celebrity
American Christian culture has become obsessed with celebrities. Musicians, authors, preachers, and teachers – marketers only have to slap a name on a product to sell thousands of copies. Fortunately, many of our Christian celebrities never sought out the position. However, for some, fame and personal glory eventually overshadow the heart of their ministry. Rubart confronts this phenomenon in Memory’s Door.
Q: One character in the book has a relationship with Christ but he allowed his own glory and prestige to overpower his kingdom work. In our culture that glorifies celebrity status, this is an easy trap. How can Christian leaders battle against this tactic of Satan?
A: I would encourage them to exercise their hearts. The springs of life flow from the heart, which is why we’re told to guard it above all else (Proverbs 4:23). Once someone is put in a position of leadership, the accolades come, the perks come, and the insane schedules and busyness come. Those things crowd out the chance to exercise the heart.
This life is not about what we do, it’s about a relationship. One primary relationship with Christ from which all others flow. Mary of Martha and Mary had it right.
The other thing a leader can do is refuse to let the poison of fame seep in. Years ago I saw an author friend of mind stand against this in a powerful way. He was in a Q&A and one of the people there said, “So what’s it like dealing with all the fame you’re getting these days.”
The author’s answer? “Sorry, we’re not going to go there.”
The questioner pressed. “Yeah, but what’s it like to be so famous now?”
The author said, “Nope, not going to even stop on that for a second.”
In other words there was no good answer. To even address the question would open a crack for the enemy to worm his way in.
Discernment
This week I thought I’d be at a conference in South Carolina. Twelve hours before my friend and I were supposed to leave, circumstances started impeding our departure. Our immediate tactic was prayer as we started trying to discern if circumstances were God’s way of keeping us home (our response: submission) or Satan’s way of keeping us from going (our response: fight back). You’ve probably been in a similar situation.
Memory’s Door challenges the reader’s ability to discern. I asked Rubart, “The Warriors Riding have a hard time discerning if the people they encounter are angelic, demonic, or human. In reality, how do you discern if a situation, idea, opportunity, etc., is from God or is a temptation that Satan is using to keep you from the truth?”
A: Two ways – wisdom and revelation. Wisdom comes from the Word. We test the validity of a spirit or person or idea against the Word. Does it align?
The second way is revelation. Jesus says his sheep will hear his voice, the voice of the Spirit. The Spirit is our Guide, our Counselor, and the One who will lead us into all truth. So we learn to listen. Unfortunately, this is a foreign concept to many Christians. You mean God still speaks? Yes, He does. If you’re one of his sheep, he longs to speak to you.
This book is full of so much good stuff I can’t share it all at once. Click here to read the rest of my interview with author James L. Rubart on his book Memory’s Door and his personal ministry.
Until then, “Listen to the truth of the Spirit and make no agreement with the lies of the enemy.” – Reece, another character from Memory’s Door.
Thanks for having me, Kathi!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Jim. Anytime!
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