UPDYKE books
Five months after losing my three-year-old grandson to a respiratory disease, I had a meaningful conversation with my daughter, Sam’s mother. For your insight, and with her permission, I am including our words here.
Melissa: Hey Dad, I just posted on a grief group. As I sit here, I think our situation is hopeless. Here’s what I posted: “Well, I just walked out of church mid sermon for the first time ever in a panic attack. Verses were shared that I claimed over my baby. Yet he endured a catastrophic medical error and died. I’ve never experienced pain in my faith before, or in my relationship with God… but now, most days I feel I’m barely getting by.” Dad, can you speak into my conflict of faith that seems to be growing and driving a wedge?
Alan: Sam was a testimony of the beauty of God’s creation and how precious life is.
Melissa: I’m just trying to regroup. I’ve been grasping at straws and I need to hear something other than religious platitudes. I think the narrative at church may be wrong and I can’t continue to go. It just hurts too much. Selling people a faith that claims healing and no pain is wrong. I want to know what God’s purpose is in pain and suffering, and why does He allow it? For those who are not healed… what does the church have to say to them!??? Just silence.
Alan: Pain comes with injury and continues during healing. There is physical, mental, and spirit injury. The church rarely addresses the spiritual. We live in a time of unprecedented pleasure and prosperity. The church needs to survive, so it embraces the good times. Satan endorses religious platitudes to keep us far from the truth. I’ve often wondered about the barriers to true healing. Are they caused by the deceptions of our religious training?
Melissa: I just need to find a greater truth. I was close to God, then got de-railed by tragedy and loss. My heart is bleeding! I am struggling because our pain hasn’t gone away and each of us are showing signs of feeling betrayed. I can’t help my kids if I can’t find these answers for myself.
Alan: Despite our prosperity, there are those who are suffering, some are even tormented among us. We have to go deeper to understand God’s purpose, so that we can be purified and know the truth, to help them. It is a greater cause.
Melissa: That’s a message I need to delve into. See… we had no support from the church for four years as we struggled with Sam’s health; abandoned in our trying circumstances, walking alone. Now in his death we’re still alone, on the outside, not fitting into the mold. I was supposed to go to a weekend retreat with other moms. I was with them when they shared how we should pray for each other. That’s when I realized that I cannot go. I’m not saying that their prayer requests aren’t valid, but I just can’t relate. It’s all so superficial. What we’ve been through, what we’re going through, is not relatable to their lives of comfort as they strive for perfection. I just can’t relate. And, I can’t sympathize with them.
Alan: I understand. I have not been able to go to a prayer meeting for many years. My prayers have to be honest, sincere, and true. These prayers that preach at us, in truth, they are not really prayer at all. I am often offended.
Melissa: I can see why people abandon their faith and blame God… religion doesn’t provide any other way, the church is to blame, if you ask me. Most people need God to meet them where they are… if they haven’t received healing yet, that puts them on the outskirts of God’s plan, according to the church. It is so wrong!
Alan: In my new book I hit on these issues very forcibly.
Melissa: Well, I’m offended by Christians as a result of my circumstances, and there’s many standing in the same gap as me. Those in my grieving group say they just don’t have faith anymore; they’re mad at God. I can now understand how they got there.
Alan: We have to separate God from a false religion and share with people a greater truth. I know that it doesn’t seem to be there, and it’s hard to find…
Melissa: Then your book is for them. In loss, pain, and suffering, there’s no church that provides answers, or people with enough faith to help us.
Alan: I love you deeply and am praying for your healing and protection.
Melissa: Thank you for your words and prayers Dad, I love you.
Warning: this book may not be for the delicate or faint of heart. It is written for a mature audience. Why does God allow His children to suffer? It is a hard question. My best answer is on the pages that follow.
Note: This story is told by an anonymous, omniscient narrator and by Jodi Culp, the girlfriend of Samuel Urban, the disgraced magistrate. Expect the viewpoint of the narrator to change when you see the symbol ++++. This allows Jodi to share her personal experience and thoughts.
Sincerely,
Alan Updyke
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The Cross
Necklace
for the Sake of Sam
PURCHASE REVIEW
Here is a story of mercy and grace. It is among those that urge us to believe in truths higher than our preferred opinions, to act in ways that honor the image of God. “THE CROSS NECKLACE – For the Sake of Sam” promises these elements with a beautiful theme and intent. We all enjoy stories that spark the imagination in the way the Advocate does - that perhaps someone wiser and more knowing looks out for us and, if we are paying attention, guides us toward best outcomes.
In the small town of Walthem, Samuel Urban is known as the people’s judge. Once shown mercy, this magistrate feels obligated to grant unto those brought before him a second chance. Sam’s journey, one of pitfalls and recovery, is something people still talk about.
It was the intervention of his predecessor that saved Sam from a penalty that loomed like a noose, determined to claim his young life. But his acquittal stirred resentment in one who, unknowingly to Sam, became his archenemy. His nemesis seethed with anger at the news of Sam’s release from prison and the thought of him going unpunished.
The mysterious alliance that now desires to lynch Sam is not only reclusive, but very powerful and influential, and from them there will be no reprieve, because they lack understanding. But will he win in the end?
This is the story about a young couple, Sam and his girlfriend Jodi, but more importantly, it documents the influence of an Advocate, established in truth, for setting them free from their deepest despair.
The disgrace of Sam being charged a second time is more than they can bear. They are without hope until they discover a force at work in their lives which is greater than the reckless power possessed by their enemies.
Battle lines are drawn. The game of war is about to commence. But in truth, life is surely much more than a game. (Based on a true story.)
The Secrets of Sweetened Vales
Blessings All Mine
PURCHASE REVIEW
She was his first crush. When Julianne suddenly disappeared, he demanded answers, but those who knew what happened to her refused to tell him. Vincent’s heart was broken, but time didn’t wait for the truth to be revealed. He eventually moved on. Then one day a friend request came like a ghost from his past to resurrect the secrets of Sweetened Vales. And his haunts returned. Something strange had happened in that small town where its residents were healed, the source of it remaining a mystery.
Today it all seems like a dream as the world is consumed with the information age, yet the meaning of Vincent’s past is not explained by a search of the web. His personal experience, meaningful history, is soon to be forgotten. And still, he carries the scars of Sweetened Vales; his heart remains broken. Medication numbs the enduring pain.
The mystique of the strawberry fields known in his youth no longer entices a grower. Gone is the hopeful expectation Vincent once felt there. Wearing a cyber mask, he pretends to be someone he isn’t, in danger of losing his true self. He wonders if hope can be recovered like buried treasure, to heal the hurting once again.
Nowadays fresh strawberries are prominently displayed by the grocer year around, but this genetically altered fruit isn’t gratifying, not like the savory harvest from the fields of Sweetened Vales. Looking back, it's easy to see how the age inherited is altering us too.
What secrets does his past hold? Vincent intends to find out, to be free of the disappointing repetition that defines him. There was something very special about that strawberry farm and it is still intended for us today.
Thereafter
The earth shakes violently and the struggle of their after lives becomes the ultimate test.
PURCHASE REVIEW
Historical, end times fiction, “Thereafter”
is a book with insight for coming days, based on historical facts and an interpretation of prophetic writings.
The evidence we can glean from history is most convincing. Current events need to be understood within the context of lessons learned from our past. This book presents a fictional scenario of future events.
It’s a difficult and controversial topic, but one which we should not completely ignore. This writing is based two strong convictions. First, a time of great persecution is coming. Hatred is very strong.
Jesus said that nations will be offended, betray one another, and hate one another.
Secondly, we should not be surprised when it happens. He also told us to study for understanding, pray for refuge, recognize and understand the signs that foretell what is to come, and be ready.
Yes, we should be prepared! Are you?
“Thereafter” is insightful and thought provoking. Don’t just watch current events, interpret them!