If You Could Take a Missions Trip . . .

View from our plane on the way to India!

The Born for India trilogy was inspired by my travels to and experiences in India.

One woman, One God. One passion.

Could love await her, even in India?

One brother's dark secret.

Another brother's scorn.

Will family ties be strong enough to bind two wounded hearts, once the secret is revealed?

A couple in crisis.

A child taken captive.

When their worlds intersect, they each will receive a precious gift, but will they find it in their hearts to accept an outcome so different from what they expected and hoped for?

Okay, time to play!

 

If you could take a missions trip, where would you go?

 

Answer that question below for a chance to win the Born for India trilogy Kindle versions!

 

If you've been on a trip, where did you go and what did you see?

 

Hurry! Contest ends March 26! 

Free Kindle Copy of Restored Hearts!

(The following article was first published in 2011 on The Christian Post Bindings blog).

The question, “Who will weep for the homosexual?” has been ruminating in my mind and heart the last day or so.

Is my heart broken for these individuals who through their same-sex thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are longing for a relationship that satisfies?

Those with unwanted same-sex attraction are craving the beauty and pureness of God’s original intent: marriage between one man and one woman for a lifetime (Genesis 2:24-25; Mark 10:6-9; Ephesians 5: 22-33). Moses, Jesus, and Paul tie together the thread of Scripture on marriage, reiterating God’s created design for male and female who are equipped and sanctioned to come together as one flesh. 

The yearning in the heart of one who longs to follow God’s intended model, but feels s/he cannot, creates enormous emotional, psychological, and spiritual conflict.

And rightly so. As with any sinful dysfunction—whether it be greed, alcoholism, compulsive eating, stealing, shopping, or lying—it is conflict that can move the hurting individual to seek help. Pain paves the way for change. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, the apostle Paul presents one of the strongest statements concerning the truth that homosexuals can indeed change. In this passage, homosexuality is listed as one among many sins from which the Corinthian believers had been delivered. Paul says, But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. What great hope this offers those dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction.  

However, restoration is not an easy process. The inner need for acceptance, approval, and love can drive a person to seek satisfaction in any number of forms. An addiction is a person’s way of addressing a love hunger for God, temporarily anesthetizing the emotional pain that usually comes from past hurts. The addiction satisfies for a time—Satan’s way of reeling the person in—but sooner or later the addiction results in a sickening spiral down. The ensuing lack of control creates a greater need, and thus the addiction fuels itself.

For my character, Tim, in the novel RESTORED HEARTS, he seeks the male affirmation he missed from his father in eroticized relationships with other men. The Holy Spirit keeps nudging his heart, causing him to realize the deception of his behavior. He runs from Boston back to his missionary upbringing in India in hopes that he can leave his homosexual lifestyle behind once and for all. But he soon discovers he cannot.

It takes the wise discernment of the mission psychologist to help Tim unearth the roots of his sinful dysfunction and enter into a healing process which incorporates a loving relationship with Jesus Christ at the center. Dr. Hauser weeps for and with this hurting young man over his loss of paternal love and approval. As a godly father figure, he stands with him as he faces his brother’s anger and rejection. When others ignore Tim, Dr. Hauser remains by his side as he struggles, fails, and gets back up again. Like Jesus, he presents a mix of truth and grace. Conviction and compassion. He helps Tim embrace his identity in Christ as a beloved, fully forgiven, and totally accepted son of the heavenly Father (Ephesians, chapter one).  

As I developed my character Tim, I, too, wept alongside of him. His pain became my own. I grieved when his brother rejected him, when the pastor ignored him, and when the Indian girl, Esha, loved him, but was ignored by him because Tim could not respond to her affection. I saw myself in the differing reactions, and I was moved to tears.

My prayer is that I will continue to weep for the homosexual. The struggle is great and not to be minimized in any way. It is a cry for relationship with the Father. Something each of us can prayerfully identify with.

~~

Leave a comment below, along with your email address, and enter to win a Kindle copy of Restored Hearts. Winner announced on October 31!

 http://www.amazon.com/Restored-Hearts-Novel-India-ebook/dp/B002I616CU/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

Who Will Weep for the Homosexual?

The question, “Who will weep for the homosexual?” has been ruminating in my mind and heart the last day or so.

Is my heart broken for these individuals who through their same-sex thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are longing for a relationship that satisfies?

Those with unwanted same-sex attraction are craving the beauty and pureness of God’s original intent: marriage between one man and one woman for a lifetime (Genesis 2:24-25; Mark 10:6-9; Ephesians 5: 22-33). Moses, Jesus, and Paul tie together the thread of Scripture on marriage, reiterating God’s created design for male and female who are equipped and sanctioned to come together as one flesh. 

The yearning in the heart of one who longs to follow God’s intended model, but feels s/he cannot, creates enormous emotional, psychological, and spiritual conflict.

And rightly so. As with any sinful dysfunction—whether it be greed, alcoholism, compulsive eating, stealing, shopping, or lying—it is conflict that can move the hurting individual to seek help. Pain paves the way for change. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, the apostle Paul presents one of the strongest statements concerning the truth that homosexuals can indeed change. In this passage, homosexuality is listed as one among many sins that the Corinthian believers had been delivered from. Paul says, But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.  What great hope this offers those dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction.  

However, restoration is not an easy process. The inner need for acceptance, approval, and love can drive a person to seek satisfaction in any number of forms. An addiction is a person’s way of addressing a love hunger for God, temporarily anesthetizing the emotional pain that usually comes from past hurts. The addiction satisfies for a time—Satan’s way of reeling the person in—but sooner or later the addiction results in a sickening spiral down. The ensuing lack of control creates a greater need, and thus the addiction fuels itself.

For my character, Tim, in the novel RESTORED HEARTS, he seeks the male affirmation he missed from his father in eroticized relationships with other men. The Holy Spirit keeps nudging his heart, causing him to realize the deception of his behavior. He runs from Boston back to his missionary upbringing in India in hopes that he can leave his homosexual lifestyle behind once and for all. But he soon discovers he cannot.

It takes the wise discernment of the mission psychologist to help Tim unearth the roots of his sinful dysfunction and enter into a healing process which incorporates a loving relationship with Jesus Christ at the center. Dr. Hauser weeps for and with this hurting young man over his loss of paternal love and approval. As a godly father figure, he stands with him as he faces his brother’s anger and rejection. When others ignore Tim, Dr. Hauser remains by his side as he struggles, fails, and gets back up again. Like Jesus, he presents a mix of truth and grace. Conviction and compassion.  He helps Tim embrace his identity in Christ as a beloved, fully forgiven, and totally accepted son of the heavenly Father (Ephesians, chapter one).  

As I developed my character Tim, I, too, wept alongside of him. His pain became my own. I grieved when his brother rejected him, when the pastor ignored him, and when the Indian girl, Esha, loved him, but was ignored by him because Tim could not respond to her affection. I saw myself in the differing reactions and I was moved to tears.

My prayer is that I will continue to weep for the homosexual. The struggle is great and not to be minimized in any way. It is a cry for relationship with the Father. Something each of us can prayerfully identify with.

~~

Eileen Rife is the author of RESTORED HEARTS, Book two in the Born for India trilogy. She and her husband, Chuck, conduct marriage seminars in the States as well as overseas. www.eileenrife.com

Asia's Largest Monolith

Madhugiri hill, the largest monolith in Asia and the second largest in the world, attracts many climbers. The prosperous town is famous for its pomegranates as well.

Other India trivia . . .

The language of Karnataka state where we are staying is Kannada. However, most speak English quite well, even though we have to strain our ears to understand.

Vendors pass by the house every morning collecting and/or calling out their wares--papar (collecting old newspapers to resell to make various items, such as gift bags), fruits and vegetables, potted plants and soil.

Chuck played golf here the other day. He wore a long-sleeved shirt since he is very susceptible to sunburn. The manager of the course said, "Your shirt, unacceptable." So he purchased a regular polo shirt at a reasonable price. Back on the course and ready to play, Chuck sees the man approach again. "Shirt, unacceptable." What now! Chuck thought. The man said, "You must tuck in." This coming from a culture of people who seem oblivious to major nuisances like garbage piled on the side of the road.

In my Born for India trilogy, characters Maggie and Gavin contend with these cultural dynamics day in and out and learn to cope. While Gavin does not hike Madhugiri, he does take a Himalayan trek with brother Tim in Restored Hearts. This excursion proves to be a turning point in their healing journey, exposing some long-buried hurts from their past. 

Fighting Mosquitoes

Fighting malaria-carrying mosquitoes in India is quite interesting!

In my novel, Restored Hearts, Constance jokes that in India when a mosquito bites a person it flies away singing, "There's power in the blood!"

Here my husband uses a special electrically-charged wand to zap the mosquitoes.

This helpful plug-in deters mosquitoes during the night. Works great!

We like natural alternatives, so my husband and I take Garlitrin 4000 and Vitamin B1to repel mosquitoes.

Christmas in India begins tomorrow!

While others are singing, "I'll Be Home for Christmas," I'll be flying over the Atlantic Ocean on December 19 to the exotic and varied land of India, birthplace of my Born for India trilogy. I'll keep you posted on all my adventures--the sights and sounds of India--via blog pics and video commentary. You won't want to miss this exciting glimpse into the heart of India. To enhance your experience, be sure and pick up my Born for India trilogy (Journey to Judah 1, Restored Hearts 2, Chosen Ones 3).

From adorable children

To lovely ladies (and handsome gentleman :)

 To the bizzare

And the ridiculous

To the everyday

Join with me as we explore the wonders of India!

Read the Born for India trilogy along with your tour!

JOURNEY TO JUDAH

"As soon as Maggie got off the plane, the Weavers hung a large garland of pungent jasmine around her neck and escorted her to the van. The breakneck ride to their home was nothing short of memorable. Black and yellow auto-rickshaws, autos the Indians called them, powered by Petrol, puttered along the sun-baked earthen road. Vans, motorcycles, oxen, cows, and street dogs intermingled on the roadway. With no lanes, everyone drove wherever and however  they pleased, never fully coming to a stop, merely yielding occasionally to avoid collision. Maggie had to laugh out loud when she saw a sign: Drive Slow, Avoid Death."

Experience India with Maggie--the adventure, the heartbreak, the life-threatening illness, the tsunami, the romance. Could love await her . . . even in India?

RESTORED HEARTS

"He's lied to me, Maggi." Gavin pushed from the table. "A man who heads up a business just deciding he's not going back for awhile? I knew it sounded fishy."

Gavin watched her drape the garment over a chair. She ambled to his side and placed a hand on his arm. "He must have a good reason."

Pulling away, he paced the floor. "How could a man just up and leave a prosperous business? . . . unless, it's not as successful as he's led us to believe." He halted and faced his wife. "He's running. He's never been one to stick to his guns."

"Now, Gavin, don't jump to conclusions before you've heard the entire story."

"I know my brother, Mags. And yes, I will hear the entire story. You can count on that." He grabbed his keys and darted out the door. He could hear Maggie yelling after him to calm down and think over the situation, but he ignored her. He knew what to do, and he was going to do it!

Continue your India experience as Gavin's brother Tim joins the slate of characters at the Oasis Compound. One brother's dark secret. Another brother's scorn. Will family ties by strong enough to bind two wounded hearts, once the secret is revealed?

CHOSEN ONES

The couple sat in silence. At last, Dan broke the stillness that had settled over them like a blanket of thick fog. He walked to his desk and powered up his laptop.

"What are you doing?" Yvonne said.

"Some research. Let's check into this slavery thing."

Yvonne moved around the side of the desk and watched her husband google "human trafficking." Several websites appeared on the screen. Dan clicked onto a site, and the couple silently read the home page. Yvonne slumped against the desk. "I had no idea. It's as if my head's been buried in the sand."

Dan leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms. "Nearly two million women trafficked in Asia alone and half of them children." He swept his hand over his mouth. "If Geetika is a trafficked victim, where would they have taken her?"

A couple in crisis. A child taken captive. When their worlds intersect, each of them will receive a precious gift, but will they find it in their hearts to accept an outcome so different from what they expected and hoped for?

Immerse yourself in India this holiday season with the Born for India trilogy!

http://www.cheapestbookprice.com/search/eileen-rife

Warming up to Christmas in India

East meets West

~~

Warming up for a delightful tour through the exotic land of India, 

the birthplace of my Born for India trilogy!

Join me over the next month for the sights and sounds of Christmas in India 

via videos, pics, and blog posts!

Share in the familiar, and the not so familiar.

Develop a heart for the peoples of the world.

Learn about another culture. 

Experience the spices, foods, clothing, and customs.

Beginning Monday, December 10!

RESTORED HEARTS, on the Edgy Christian Fiction Writers Blog Tour, Monday, August 1

One brother’s dark secret. Another brother’s scorn. Newlyweds Gavin and Maggie Munsfield return to care for the sick and wounded at the Oasis Compound in Chennai, India, which is still suffering from the recent tsunami. Gavin’s brother, Tim, a landscape artist from Boston, joins the couple for the clean-up and rebuilding of the Compound. But Tim harbors a dark past that threatens to destroy his relationship with his brother . . . and a promising new love.Will family ties be strong enough to bind two wounded hearts, once the secret is revealed?

God Loves Everyone!

I was saddened this morning when I encountered a gentleman who insisted that God hates homosexuals. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Let's use the Bible to set the record straight . . .

Jesus says in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (NIV).

Jesus presented the perfect balance of conviction and compassion, truth and grace. He extended His hand and heart to all. He came to restore us to the Father. Anyone who desires to come can drink freely of His living water, which will become "in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life"(John 4:14).

Furthermore, Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God."

Notice that homosexuality is only one among many sins which Paul condemns. The good news is that through Christ the Corinthian believers had been washed, sanctified, and justified. In short, they had been forgiven by the blood of Christ and restored to the Father.

If God hates homosexuals, then he hates us all, for we are all sinners and worthy of eternal damnation. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. Through Christ alone are we made right before God.

The Cross stands forever as proof that God loves everyone!

RESTORED HEARTS, your next summer read?

Why I Wrote RESTORED HEARTS

My burden in writing Book 2 RESTORED HEARTS in the Born for India trilogy:

1. To present a mix of conviction and compassion, truth and grace. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 reveals both of these aspects when it addresses the issues of homosexuality along with a list of other sins the Corinthian believers had been delivered from.

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Yes, homosexuality is a sin, but it is a sin no worse than any other sin.

2. To show that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. Jesus invites us ALL to come and find cleansing through His shed blood.

3. To show that we can be delivered from all manner of sin through the name of Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor.6:11).

4. To provoke believers to show compassion to the person who may be sitting right next to them in the church pew and struggling with same-sex attraction, but will not speak up for fear of being pounced upon.

As a Christ-follower, I desire to reach out to people with healing words. Prayerfully those words will always be a mix of biblical truth and grace, welcoming the sinner home into the arms of Jesus.

God's Grace, and the Homosexual Next Door

Since publishing RESTORED HEARTS, Book Two in the Born for India trilogy, which profiles a Christian man’s struggle with homosexuality, I have been on the lookout for additional resources that address the restoration and freedom one can experience in loving relationship with Jesus Christ. God’s Grace and the Homosexual Next Door is just such a resource.

Alan Chambers and the leadership team at Exodus International combine their stories and expertise in this compelling, compassionate book addressing the issue of outreach to the homosexual. Exodus is a Christian organization that serves as an arm of the local church to minister to men, women, and youth who struggle with unwanted homosexuality.

God’s Grace and the Homosexual Next Door opens with a twenty-question quiz to test the reader’s knowledge about homosexuality. Answers are then given throughout the book chapters with the same quiz posted at the back of the book with answers and brief explanations. A helpful Resource List is also included at the end of the book.

As I read through the testimonies, studies, and sound, well-researched material, I noted several key themes:

1) Healing of homosexuality, and any sin for that matter, takes place in the context of community, i.e. a loving body of believers.

2) There is no hierarchy of sin. ALL sin is abominable to God. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. Therefore, homosexuality is no worse than any other sin.

3) Homosexuality is a relational dysfunction. It results from a person trying to meet a God-given need for love and acceptance in an ungodly way.

4) The opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality—it’s holiness.

5) The best evangelism to the homosexual is done through friendship.

Eye-opening chapters include topics such as demystifying homosexuality, developing a Christlike attitude toward homosexuals, the change process, understanding the three degrees of homosexuality, the church’s attitude toward homosexuals, five things not to do when reaching out to the homosexual, and ministry to homosexual young people and to the lesbian. The book closes with 25 questions and answers about gay ministry and five stories from those whose lives have been transformed by Jesus Christ.

The book challenged my thinking, broke my heart, and moved me to become more sensitive to those who battle unwanted homosexuality. Among the many valuable quotes was Mike Haley’s comment: “I have never met a woman or man who left homosexuality who didn’t do it without taking the outstretched hand of someone else. Because we’re broken relationally, we’re restored relationally” (p.199). What a powerful reminder to reach out in faith rather than retreat in fear when considering befriending a homosexual neighbor, coworker, or family member.

I highly recommend God’s Grace and the Homosexual Next Door if you have a heart that longs to minister to this hurting population of people.

FOR BOOK CLUBS

If you’ve read JOURNEY TO JUDAH or RESTORED HEARTS, you know that the romance, adventure, and intrigue don’t have to stop when you’ve finished the last page and closed the book.

You can get together with your friends and use the Discussion Questions at the end of the books to generate thought-provoking conversation for quite some time.

JOURNEY TO JUDAH questions include:

•In what ways might Maggie’s journey be similar to the journey of Ruth in the Bible? In what ways are they different?

Journal where you are in your journey. What is God doing in your life? How does that make you feel? Are you willing to do whatever He asks you to do?

•When faced with a broken engagement, Gavin plunged into depression. What steps did Dr. Hauser suggest to help him regain emotional equilibrium?

•Read Psalm 37. List some of the things you can do when you don’t understand what God is doing in your life.

•Read Philippians 4. Describe God’s path to peace and contentment.

*And many more!

RESTORED HEARTS questions include:

•During one counseling session with Tim, Dr. Hauser says, “If you want to know what God thinks of you, look at the cross.” How did this statement help Tim? How might it help you?

•The word restore in 1 Peter 5:10 is the same word used to signify a bone that must be reset in order to heal stronger. How does Esha try to convey this message to Gavin ? Are her words effective immediately—or much later? Why do you think this is? How might remembering Esha’s words help you in your own life now, and in the future?

•During a counseling session, Dr. Hauser discusses the role of sex in marriage. He alludes to such Scriptures as Genesis 2:22-24 and Ephesians 5:31-33. Take a look at the headlines today re: approval of homosexual marriages in some of the states. Why do you think Satan is working overtime to destroy the marriage union between one man and one woman for a lifetime?

•At one point in the story, Dr. Hauser tells Tim, “Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

•What role do you think Dad’s letter might play in Tim’s and Gavin’s healing? How has it already influenced Tim’s thinking? If you could change anything about your own childhood, what would that be?

•The name Esha means “desire or wish” in Sanskrit. She longed for Tim, yet she demonstrated an even greater longing. What do you think that was? What are the current desires of your heart?

•And many more!

With questions included in each book, why not host a BOOK CLUB?

I’d love to come and share the story behind the story and answer reader questions! Contact me at eileenrife@yahoo.com.

The Love Won Out conference

What a moving and meaningful day at the Love Won Out Conference! Thank you for your prayers. The speakers were humble, gracious servants of our Lord. God answered many of my personal prayers.

Here are some highlights of my weekend:

• Joe Dallas asking me to autograph a copy of Restored Hearts for him.

• Getting copies of Restored Hearts into several other key leaders’ hands:

Melissa Fryrear—director of gender issues for Focus on the Family/Public Policy division

Alan Chambers—President of Exodus International to which a portion of book sales will go. This is currently the largest Christian organization that reaches out to those who struggle and their families.

Dr. Bill Maier—Vice President at Focus on the Family and psychologist-in-residence

Mike Goeke—pastoral counselor to those struggling with same-sex issues

Nancy Heche—mom, speaker, and author whose husband died of Aids and whose actress daughter had a three-year relationship with Ellen DeGeneres

• Placing Restored Hearts into the hands of a visibly hurting family whose son was very much trying to look like a girl. They traveled all the way from Minnesota to attend the conference.

• Meeting and sharing with a middle-aged couple who just found out their son has a homosexual lover

• Meeting another mom who wants to take action in her community against the gay agenda

• Thanking the Focus on the Family team for the opportunity and privilege of serving alongside them as part of their counseling network

• A loving message sent to those who picketed Saturday. Several leaders went out on the sidewalk to talk with the gay activists. Police guards were posted at the church doors. Thanking the Lord for our safety.

Continue to pray for the impact of the conference and for God to use Restored Hearts however and whenever He chooses.