Find hope in a broken world and discover captivating characters and unforgettable journeys through character-fueled fiction, book reviews, and inspirational posts.
David's Fiction and Inspirational Newsletter -- June 2026
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Hello, reading friends! I have a wooden box of old Scripture memory cards dating back to college. Some are hand written verses I've enjoyed stumbling across while reading the Bible. Most are yellowing and the edges worn from handling. To preserve them, I listed the verse references in a notebook and I'm gradually working my way through them in my quiet times. At the same time, I hope they spark an idea for a devotional such as the one that follows. Inspirational Thought"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." — 2 Corinthians 12:9 We don't know what kind of thorn in the flesh the Apostle Paul had. But it disturbed him enough to ask God three times to take it away. God gave an unexpected answer. "My grace is sufficient." In other words: I’ll actively strengthen you to endure. "My power is made perfect in weakness." Your trouble is my arena to display my power. The Greek word, here, for grace, is charis: Unearned favor from God toward people—an empowering presence and active help. As a result, God’s grace and his resulting work through Paul, despite Paul's difficulty, would amplify God’s glory. Paul responded by saying he'd boast more about his weaknesses in order to be infused with God's power in his circumstances and showcase God's glory. When we face hardships (physical, relational, or financial) our trials can drive us from God or keep us close to him. Like Paul, keep pushing forward by God's special strength and see what he can do. I find this verse fitting for me. Lately, my thorn in the flesh are the many competing needs around me. They require attention and distract me from writing, learning, and promoting what God lays on my heart to write. These challenge me to keep close to God, push forward with writing—as he enables me—and see what he accomplishes with it. Thank you for joining me in the journey. What I'm Working OnBehold, All Things Are Become NewI'm reviewing the promotional material for my latest short story, Behold, All Things Are Become New. I belong to a Facebook group called Avid Readers of Christian Fiction and hope to post its availability to attract new readers. I believe the theme of generational wounding and inner healing are important topics. Telling a story penetrates difficult heart issues better than a sermon. I also decided to include the discussion questions at the end of the story, rather than offer a separate file to download. If you haven’t already, you can download the story here. And Grace Will Lead Me Home: A NovelWhat if protecting your future meant exposing your darkest secret? A high school valedictorian set for success carries a secret that will sabotage his dreams unless he admits the truth. I'm planning to send the first ten pages to Jerry Jenkin's Your Novel Blueprint course. He hand-selects established writers to critique members' opening pages. Before I do that, I'm adding a few more scenes. Probably the most important one is introducing the antagonist earlier in the story. Kyle, Jonah's academic rival over the years, covets the position of class valedictorian when he stumbles upon Jonah's secret. What I’m ReadingI came across Knocking by Robin Merrill in the FB group mentioned above. It's the first installment of New Beginnings Christian Fiction Series Book. I don't know how it will turn out, but the themes of brokenness, family conflict, buried pasts, and transformation intrigue me. And it's currently free at Amazon for Kindle. Here is Amazon's description: Tonya has been fighting to keep her family intact, smoothing edges, swallowing hurt, doing her best to be the perfect pastor’s wife. But the moment her husband’s secret comes crashing into the open, everything detonates at once. She finds herself outside in the cold rain, breathless from the shock, while her teenage daughter disappears into the darkness rather than face the wreckage inside.
Emma’s escape lands her in the last place Tonya would think to look: the cluttered, closed-off home of Fiona, the reclusive woman next door. Fiona didn’t plan to take in a heartbroken teenager. She didn’t plan to care. But Emma’s arrival ruptures the isolated world she’s built, forcing her to confront the wounds she’s buried for years.
For PrayerIf you pray, please join me in the following:
Contact Me I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at: broks.d.h@gmail.com (just one "o" instead of two). David Harlen Brooks Previous PostsJesus Our Example: Forgiveness in the Midst of Pain—By forgiving others, Christians not only obey a command, but act in a way that reflects Jesus. God Forgives Us—And That Changes Everything—God's forgiveness is complete and transforming, moving us to forgive others. The Light of God—How God’s light, first spoken into a dark world, still brings clarity, hope, and transformation today through Christ. Out of the Mire—Psalm 40:1-3 reflects David’s trust in God deliverance and inspires others to recognize His glory. Mary Vs. The Taylor Swifts—You don't have to be famous to make an impact. God chooses faithful and available people. Goals: Hits and Misses in 2024—Two stories finished, one that didn't cross the finish line. AI Takes on My Writing and My Top 3 Movies Trust Your Heavenly Father—What I Learned About Trust in PE Class. Clay Pots—Common with Uncommon Results—God's surprising advertising strategy. |
Hi! I'm David Harlen Brooks
Find hope in a broken world and discover captivating characters and unforgettable journeys through character-fueled fiction, book reviews, and inspirational posts.
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Hello, reading friends! For my American friends, I hope you had a fantastic Fourth of July. Here in the Philippines, July 4 is celebrated as Philippine-American Friendship Day. It was once observed as Philippine Independence Day, commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Manila, which granted the Philippines its independence from the United States in 1946. Today, Philippine Independence Day is celebrated on June 12, marking the country's independence from Spain in 1898. Later that same year,...