Adam
has just had an argument with his wife and she has threatened to
leave him. That's after she told him their teen-aged son was back on
drugs. Needing some space to think, he heads to a nearby park. An old
man approaches him, asking to paint his portrait. That experience
changes his life.
The
authors have woven a tale of spiritual transformation using Adam's
encounter with the painter, Jim Ed. Jim Ed encourages Adam to share
his life. Jim Ed gives wisdom from God while painting, also sharing
his own story of being a black man in a time of violent prejudice.
We
readers glean lessons from the painting session. Jim Ed decides it
must be a watercolor. “Watercolor dribbles and makes splotches.
It's not neat and clean...” (30) Just like Adam's life. Jim Ed is
an impressionist so the result of his work is much more than a
portrait. His aim is to capture the person's soul and the
possibilities it presents.
Jim
Ed helps Adam understand how he can become the man God designed him
to be. It's simple but it's not easy, Jim Ed says. “First, you have
to know your identity and then live your life in desperate dependence
on Him.” (94)
There
are some good lessons for Christians in this book. For example, Jim
Ed reminds us that life has many defining moments, places where we
have to make life determining choices.
I
was disappointed in the resolution of some of Adam's problems. I'll
not reveal how it happens but it seemed to me to be the same unlikely
scenario as the cavalry suddenly coming out of nowhere to rescue
those overwhelmed by the enemy. I know the book is sort of in the
magical realism genre (Jim Ed knows things about Adam without being
told), but the end was just a little too convenient for me. I would
have rather had a realistic, hard fought victory concluding the book.
Download
a free preview of the book here.
Watch
the book trailer here.
Tim
Clinton is the President of the American Association of Christian
Counselors. He is Professor of Counseling and Pastoral Care, and
Executive Director of the Center for Counseling and Family Studies at
Liberty University. Licensed as both a Professional Counselor and
Marriage and Family Therapist, he now spends the majority of his time
working with Christian leaders and professional athletes. He has
authored twenty books. He has been married to his wife for 31 years
and they have two children. Find out more at www.TimClinton.com.
Max
Davis holds degrees in journalism and Biblical Studies. He is the
author of over twenty books and has done a variety of ghostwriting
and collaboration projects. He and his wife live in Greenwell
Springs, LA. Find out more at www.MaxDavisBooks.com.
Destiny
Image, 192 pages.
I
received a complimentary copy of this book through the Book Club
Network for the purpose of an independent and honest review.