Book Review - "Code of Silence"

Over a month ago, I finished reading Tim Shoemaker’s youth crime thriller, “Code of Silence,” published by Zondervan. I wanted to write this review right away and encourage others to read Tim’s novel. However, I had an impression from the Holy Spirit to wait. Do you ever get clear, but unexplainable spiritual stop signs along the road you walk with the LORD? It happens to me all the time. I kept wondering why? I just want to write a simple book review.

In full disclosure, I consider author and speaker, Tim Shoemaker, a dear friend, fellow author desiring to write stories that reach middle-school age children, and a brother-in-Christ. His terrific thriller, “Code of Silence,” will not only appeal to his target audience, but also it will entertain adults, and every reader will learn from the timeless truths Tim reveals.

When I woke up the other morning, I received a clear impression to examine the left’s behavior since November 8, 2016 and compare it to the characters Tim developed in his story. I waited a few more days for confirming observations. Clarity came. Beyond any doubt, the progressive/communist/statist leftist congressmen (Democrat and Republican), news media, entertainment world, and academic masterminds have forced the American people to swallow a big lie. In fact, the very thing they have falsely accused President Donald J. Trump and all who support him of doing, the exact opposite is true. They committed collusion with the Ukrainian government to boost HRC and bring down our president. They work around the clock to cover up their evil wrongdoings, like leaking classified information placing our national security in grave danger. I would not be surprised to learn that even Special Prosecutor, Robert Mueller has been given express orders from deep-state leaders to make sure the truth never sees the light of day. Isn’t it strange that Mueller’s team of Democrat lawyers include one that worked for the Clinton Foundation and others who contributed to HRC’s campaign.

I took away from Tim Shoemaker’s, “Code of Silence,” an applicable lesson. As long as the lie remains covered up, life is lived in bondage. The left is doing all it can to rob God’s people of His gift of liberty. This is why people need to read this story and pray that God brings forth the truth. Moreover, we have an Almighty God who hears and answers prayer. He has a very big spot light to expose what the left believes they’ve hid in darkness.

Please pray with me to have Jesus reveal the big lie keeping the American people from knowing the truth.

Heavenly Father, in the powerful name of Jesus, expose the rebellious deep state’s own code of silence and big lie to turn hearts and minds against President Donald J. Trump. Give those who desire to destroy our Constitutional Republic with never ending, medaling and social-experimentation a revelation of Your existence. Bring them to repentance for manipulating people into belittling Your gift of Liberty. I ask that you give them one more chance to reject the false doctrine of progressivism, but if they do not, quickly and publicly, trap them in their lies and destroy them like You did to Pharaoh and his army. Never allow them to pretend to be public servants, again. Amen.

I encourage folks to read Tim Shoemaker’s, “Code of Silence,” and I believe you will see the left’s childish behavior, which only submission to Jesus and His governance can correct and mature. A commitment to manufactured lies keeps others enslaved in darkness. Lawlessness causes the nation to spend exhausting energy to protect the Progressive’s evil code of silence.

Strategic & Tactical Prayer #9 – Confront the Culture

What is the greatest mistake Christians in America have made? I believe we’ve turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the sinful culture surrounding us. We have not challenged those who have rejected Jesus and His revealed will. We have the, “Turn the other cheek,” command so perfected, we do nothing, say nothing, and remain hidden in our respective sanctuaries. What causes us to cower and remain silent, when He commands us to preach His gospel to this lost and dying world?

For new readers of this blog, I attempt to analyze events from a Biblical Worldview. Recently, we watched US Senator Bernie Sanders (Bully Bernie) berate Deputy Budget Director nominee, Russell Vought for a blog post he wrote denouncing Muslims (something I would write). It seems no one challenged Bernie regarding his religious litmus test he arbitrarily applied to Mr. Vought. Article VI, paragraph 3, of the United States Constitution states, “The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” (emphasis mine). I guess Bully Bernie is more familiar with the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels than the law of the land.

I pray if I were in that situation I would have the clarity of thought, the strong conviction, and the inspired courage to answer Bully Bernie’s question regarding the eternal fate of those who reject Jesus. I hope I would answer, “Yes, all who reject Jesus stand condemned.” And I hope I would follow up with, “Senator, I make no apology for the truth that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one will be able to enter the Kingdom of God except through Him, and Senator Sanders, there won’t be any illegal aliens in His Kingdom. Therefore Senator, I suggest you repent and surrender your life to the only one who can save to the uttermost before it is too late. Just in case you haven’t looked in a mirror lately, you are no longer a young man. It’s your choice.”

Regardless of opportunity, I pray that the Holy Spirit will grant all followers of Jesus the clarity, conviction, and courage to confront the culture at all levels. I am not calling for violence because we have no right to harm anyone. I am calling for all believers to confront the lies of the those who reject Jesus, stand for The Truth, and speak The Truth in love. Speaking The Truth in love does not mean we hand the offenders a bouquet of flowers before addressing the matter, but it does mean we speak boldly without hesitation, reservation, or purpose of evasion.

For example, when someone says to me that our president is a moron, I reply, “I’m sorry you have chosen to be misinformed. The behavioral evidence is clear that he demonstrates great intelligence and has made wise decisions. I would like to work for any of the companies that will participate in building the boarder wall. I’ve seen some of the preliminary designs, and they are brilliant, architecturally sound, and aesthetically beautiful. Based on that leadership vision alone, I suggest you reconsider your rebellious condemnation of our president, repent of your prejudicial sin, cease thinking emotionally and begin to think rationally, and ask Almighty God to forgive you before it is too late. Have a nice day.”

Have you noticed how no one on the left is able to stand alone? During the G20 Summit, both the protesting anarchists and the global elitists stood together as a group. They don’t know how to stand alone because they can’t because they believe God is a figment of man’s imagination. Even in their groups, they are always lost and alone in a very hostile world. Further, they don’t know what to do with the follower of Jesus who can stand alone, because we know we are never alone. President Donald J. Trump continues to demonstrate that he can stand alone and willing to follow President George Washington’s advice to avoid getting involved with the problems of the rest of the world and focus our government’s energy on serving the United States of America.

The hour is here for followers of Jesus to speak and act boldly. Father, I pray in the powerful name of Jesus, anoint the members of Your army with Holy Spirit boldness to confront the lies promulgated by the enemy. Grant us clarity regarding why we follow Jesus. Strengthen our conviction regarding The Truth of Your word and command for all people to repent, for eternal souls are at stake. And bless us with courage to not only stand our ground, but also to take ground once held by the enemy, snatching souls from the fire of Hell.

Thanks for reading and if you agree with this post, please pray and ask God if He would have you share it.