Author Archives: Janet Sketchley

About Janet Sketchley

Janet Sketchley is an Atlantic Canadian writer whose Redemption’s Edge Christian suspense novels have each been finalists in The Word Awards. She's also the author of the devotional collection, A Year of Tenacity. Janet blogs about faith and books. She loves Jesus and her family, and enjoys reading, worship music, and tea. Fans of Christian suspense are invited to join her writing journey through her monthly newsletter: bit.ly/JanetSketchleyNews.

Convinced that God is Able

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[Abraham] was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.
Romans 4:21, NLT*

Abraham’s faith wasn’t passive belief. It was belief with obedience. Active faith.

Secure faith, anchored in God’s character and ability.

Sometimes the tricky part is discerning what God has promised. I’ve prayed for at least one person who was sincerely positive God had promised her physical healing … yet she died. And she knew how to listen to Him.

Then there are other times when we see something we want in Scripture and interpret it to fit our desires.

But God has given plenty of legitimate promises – in writing – that we can rely on no matter what our circumstances.

He loves us. (John 3:16)

He will cleanse and forgive us when we bring our sins to Him. (1 John 1:9)

He will always be with us. (Matthew 28:20)

He will give wisdom when we ask. (James 1:5)

He’s our source of mercy and grace in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

And many more. These are things we can be fully convinced God can and will do. Remembering and relying on His promises changes how we react to our circumstances and lets us walk in victory instead of defeat.

God who is our Refuge, our Strong Tower, we would be nothing without You. You created us, You save us, and You sustain us. We believe; help our unbelief. Help us grow in faith to become fully confident like Abraham that You can – and You will – do all that You’ve promised, in Your way and in Your time.

∞

FFH sings “God of the Promise”.

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Review: I Am Half-Sick of Shadows, by Alan Bradley

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I Am Half-Sick of Shadows, by Alan Bradley (Doubleday, 2011)

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows is the latest instalment in the life of 11-year-old chemical mastermind Flavia de Luce and her somewhat dysfunctional family in 1950’s England. Where Flavia is, death seems bound to follow, and her detective skills both aid and irritate the local police.

This time, a film crew leases the de Luce ancestral home and the family will be celebrating a quiet Christmas sequestered in their rooms. At least the intrusion shouldn’t interfere with Flavia’s plan to prove (or disprove) the existence of St. Nick.

The equipment and cast arrive in the middle of an escalating snow storm. Add in an impromptu performance for the local community which brings in half the town, turn the storm into a blizzard that traps everyone in the mansion, let Flavia discover a dead body, and you have a delicious murder mystery in the tradition of Agatha Christie’s house-party type murders.

Oh, I think Dame Agatha would have liked Flavia! Hercule Poirot definitely would have enjoyed making her acquaintance.

This is book four in the series and although each title stands alone, there are ongoing relational threads. Flavia and her widowed father may be becoming a bit closer. She thinks her older sisters hate her, but one admits that’s not the problem – so what is?

Flavia makes a delightful narrator, with her child’s perspective and her propensity to view everything in terms of chemical compounds and poison. At one point she’s commiserating with her father’s faithful manservant-cum-gardener, Dogger, about forgetting things, and she says:

“Why, just yesterday I had a thimbleful of arsenic in my hand, and I put it down somewhere. I can’t for the life of me think what I could have done with it.”

“I found it in the butter dish,” Dogger said. “I took the liberty of setting it out for the mice in the coach house.” [p. 81, Doubleday Canada hardcover edition]

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows is a delightful addition to the series, every bit as enjoyable as the book that started it all, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Expect a good ‘Golden Age’ mystery, but also expect intriguing and understated relationships where all is not as it seems. And expect Flavia to make you smile.

For more about internationally bestselling Canadian author Alan Bradley and his novels, see the official Flavia de Luce website. I’m pleased to see there’ll be another Flavia novel in early 2013. You can read an excerpt of I Am Half-Sick of Shadows on the Doubleday Canada site.

[Review copy borrowed from the public library.]

Write! Canada 2012

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I look forward to the Write! Canada conference every year. It’s professional development, spiritual renewal and going home all in one, even though I’ve never lived in Guelph. The conference feels like home because among this eclectic mix of writers from beginners to professionals, I belong.

Have I published a novel yet by going? No. Have I improved the quality of said novel(s)? Significantly. Written other things? Yes. Found an agent? Yes. Been encouraged? Encouraged others? Yes to both. Made good friends? Definitely. Eaten well, slept little, laughed? Check, check, check.

Up to 250 Canadian writers and editors who are Christian will gather in Guelph, Ontario from June 14 to 16, 2012 for the 28th annual Write! Canada conference. Sponsored by The Word Guild, the conference features engaging keynote speakers, in-depth continuing classes, wide-ranging workshops, and a host of other learning and promotional opportunities.

Check out the faculty interviews and regular updates on the Write! Canada page. Registration is now open!

Jesus is in My Boat (re-post)

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[Jesus] then left [the Pharisees], got back in the boat, and headed for the other side. But the disciples forgot to pack a lunch. Except for a single loaf of bread, there wasn’t a crumb in the boat. Jesus warned, “Be very careful. Keep a sharp eye out for the contaminating yeast of Pharisees and the followers of Herod.”

Meanwhile, the disciples were finding fault with each other because they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus overheard and said, “Why are you fussing because you forgot bread? Don’t you see the point of all this? Don’t you get it at all? Remember the five loaves I broke for the five thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?”

They said, “Twelve.”

“And the seven loaves for the four thousand—how many bags full of leftovers did you get?”

“Seven.”

He said, “Do you still not get it?”
Mark 8:13-21, MSG*

The disciples have a loaf of bread. Jesus has recently demonstrated that He can multiply a little food to feed a lot of people. Yet they’re hung up on not having enough.

But Jesus is in the boat with them! If they stop to think, they’ll realize He’s all they need.

Many times I feel inadequate or uncertain about situations, afraid I’ll mess up or won’t do well. That fear can freeze me up and become self-fulfilling. I feel alone.

These verses tell me something precious: Jesus is in my boat, and He’ll be all I need.

Whether it’s energy, love, ideas: whatever’s needed, no matter how small my loaf, I need to offer it to Jesus, and to remember what He can do.

Father, I know You promised to never leave us, and You’ve given us the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts. Forgive me for the times I panic and believe the enemy’s lies. Thank You for using these verses to finally help me see I’m never alone. Help me remember and be confident in the truth that Jesus is in my boat, and that He is enough.

Our song this week is my prayer: “Presence (My Heart’s Desire)” by the newsboys, from their Devotion CD.

[This is a re-post from 2009, but I needed to read it again.]

Review: Crossfire, by Dick Francis and Felix Francis

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Crossfire, by Dick Francis and Felix Francis (Penguin Books, 2011)

The British army is Capt. Thomas Forsyth’s life. When he loses a foot to a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, he reluctantly returns to live with his mother and step-father, with whom he’s never gotten along.

Thomas’ mother Josephine is an established trainer of race horses and a woman of strong opinions. He’s surprised to discover she’s also being blackmailed and is in danger of losing her business.

Perhaps because his injury is making him re-think his life, Thomas discovers he actually cares about Josephine and her husband Derek. Plus, there’s the principle of the thing: why should the blackmailer get away with his/her scheme?

Crossfire delivers everything readers have come to expect from a Dick Francis novel, in classic style. The soldier’s perspective adds something new. Despite some heavy-duty profanity in the beginning (after all, the man had his foot blown off) the language wasn’t too bad throughout. There was a small amount of sexual content.

Dick Francis died in 2010, and his son Felix is carrying on the tradition with typical Francis style. Crossfire is one of four novels the two co-wrote, and Felix Francis has written Gamble as his first “solo Dick Francis novel.” You can read a sample of Crossfire on the authors’ website.

[Book from my personal library.]

Interviewed at Canadian Christians Who Write

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We are as dynamic and varied as our country. And like snowflakes, no two of us are alike.

Our views, be they denominational, theological, ideological, political, social or personal, are uniquely our own.

Yet we share a common belief that Jesus is Lord, and a common passion for writing.

So says the home page of Canadian Christians Who Write. The blog’s host, Jayne Self, posts weekly interviews, and I was pleased to be invited to visit. You can find our conversations at Janet Sketchley part 1 and Janet Sketchley part 2. And be sure to check out the “recent posts” list on the right-hand side of the blog to see who else has been featured. It’s a great way to get to know some new-to-you writers, or maybe get to know a favourite a bit better.

Knowing Where God Is

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God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3, NIV*

This is one of those classic comfort passages. I heard it read at a recent meeting, and it started my mornings for the next few days.

Part-way through the first day, an idea came to mind that really helped my outlook, and seeing these verses in print the next day showed me where it came from.

Yes, there is stress here. But God is here too.

God is “ever-present.”

I knew that. I really did.

“Therefore we will not fear…” Whatever may happen in the future.

I knew that too, although it’s a challenge, and I’m pretty good at reminding myself “Jesus will be there.”

But what about the present? Our family is in a moderately stressful season. I tend to over-focus and make it worse than it is (hence all these stress/gratitude posts… they’re what God is saying to me because they’re what I need to hear).

I’ve been hanging onto God, trusting Him to provide a solution. That’s good. But time is passing and I’m still stressed. I want to rest in Him, be at peace and anxiety-free in the waiting.

Intentional, relentless thanksgiving helps. So does praising God for who He is.

Still there are a lot of “moments.” Perhaps accepting that fact is a step on the journey.

I think I’ve been seeing my stress level as a sort of pass/fail in how well I’m trusting God. On one level, it is: am I serene in Christ, or panicking?

But real life is stressful. Noticing that fact isn’t failure. Remembering that God is in it with us is success.

Faithful God who promised to never leave us, God of mercy, love and justice who is mighty to save, teach us to rest in Your character and rely on Your presence. No matter what this moment holds. Or the next. Yes, there is stress. But You are here. Right now. With us. In that will we rest.

∞

Jeremy Camp’s song, “Right Here,” reminds me that’s where God is.

Review: Medical Error, by Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

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Medical Error, by Richard L. Mabry, M.D. (Abingdon Press, 2010)

Dr. Anna McIntyre is a respected ER surgeon in a Dallas hospital—until she becomes the victim of identity theft. Someone is prescribing narcotics under her ID, maxing out her credit cards, and more. And when her team loses a patient through what looks like medical error, she may be in for a malpractice suit too.

The hospital gives her a two-week “vacation” while their legal experts scramble. Faced with hostile investigators, Anna decides to find the truth and clear her own name. Following up on the autopsy of her dead patient introduces her to Dr. Nick Valentine, and attractive pathologist who wants to help—and soon wants to be more than friends.

Medical Error is a fast read that kept me awake past my bedtime to finish it. And that doesn’t happen often. I liked Anna, Nick and the others, and was sure I’d spotted the villain early on. Naturally, I was wrong.

The novel includes enough medical details for realism, but not enough to make my eyes glaze over. And it’s certainly got me thinking about identity theft and precautions I should take.

Medical Error was a finalist in the 2011 Carol Awards. You can read a sample chapter of Medical Error and learn more about Richard Mabry and his books.

This is the second novel in the Prescription for Trouble series. Different main characters let each title stand alone. I’ll definitely be checking out the other two. Dr. Mabry has also written the non-fiction Tender Scar.

[Book from my personal library. Amazon link is an affiliate link from the author’s website, with no benefit to me.]

Eclectic Reading Challenge

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Thanks to Stephanie Nickel at Steph’s Eclectic Interests for pointing me to Book’d Out’s Eclectic Reader Challenge. The challenge is to read and review one book in each of 12 categories this year. Not that we’re going to stop at reading only 12 books in 2012!

The official categories are:

Literary Fiction
Crime/Mystery Fiction
Romantic Fiction
Historical Fiction
Young Adult
Fantasy
Science Fiction
Non Fiction
Horror
Thriller/Suspense
Classic
Your favourite genre

Since I don’t particularly enjoy following instructions without tweaking them a bit, I’m replacing literary with how-to and horror with westerns. Been hankering to read a Louis L’Amour for a while now. It occurs to me that poetry is another good genre category. Not going to add it here, because I wouldn’t have a clue how to review it. I’m not officially joining the challenge either, since I’ll be posting some of the reviews here and some at speculative, sporadic… and slightly odd. (Tweaking again…)

If you blog book reviews, check out Book’d Out’s Eclectic Reader Challenge, because there’s a prize up for grabs.

My eclectic challenge choices (I’ll add links to my reviews as they’re posted):

How-to/Instructional: How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy, by Orson Scott Card
Crime/Mystery Fiction: Death of a Couch Potato’s Wife, by Christy Barritt
Romantic Fiction: Critical Condition, by Sandra Orchard
Historical Fiction: Ellenvale Gold, by Amanda Deed
Young Adult: Oak Island Revenge, by Cynthia d’Entremont
Fantasy: The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson [Replaced with Warbreaker, by Brandon Sanderson … saving The Way of Kings for 2013]
Science Fiction: Judgment at Proteus, by Timothy Zahn
Non Fiction: Your Church Is Too Safe: Why Following Christ Turns The World Upside-Down, by Mark Buchanan
Western: Forlorn River, by Zane Grey
Thriller /Suspense: Gone to Ground, by Brandilyn Collins
Classic: The Mysterious Island, by Jules Verne
Your favourite genre: Not even sure what this is, these days, but I’ll have fun picking a good book!

Never Forget the Good

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Let all that I am praise the LORD;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the LORD;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Psalm 103:1-2, NLT*

When I’m praising God, worshipping Him, I’m most at peace. Self is lost in the wonder of who He is.

Ingratitude gets in the way and steals my focus, like the snake in the garden. There’s so much to be thankful for, but I can forget it in the face of a perceived lack or slight.

Keeping a gratitude list helps, especially if there’s a (short) daily quota, because it keeps me looking for the good instead of the bad.

Reading back through the list helps too. Remembering warms me and helps me praise God.

God our Provider, You give richly: not just materially but gifts that heal and grow our spirits. Thank You for the many ways You touch each of our lives, sometimes so personally that no one else would recognize the love message in the touch. Grow us to praise You with all that we are. Let us thrive in Your care.

∞

I know we’ve had a bunch of Matt Redman songs lately, but his 10,000 Reasons goes so well with this week’s verse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ