THE PRINCE AND THE PRODIGAL - Jill Eileen Smith - One Free Book

Welcome back, Jill. Tell us about your salvation experience. The first time I seriously thought about death was when I rode home from the funeral home with my parents after a man my dad worked with had died. I started asking questions, and I became very worried about the future. What happened when we died? What did death even mean? The worries grew to fears and though I’m sure my parents answered my questions, I couldn’t quite grasp their explanations.

One day, to help me understand it all better, in a way my eight-year-old mind could comprehend, my big sister handed me a little booklet titled, My Heart – Christ’s Home by Robert Boyd Munger. I plopped onto my parents’ big bed and read it cover to cover. Mr. Munger’s book pierced my heart. It exposed the fact that I was a sinner and that Jesus wanted to come into my heart and cleanse every room, taking ownership of the whole house. He would make my heart clean and whole, if I would but give him the keys.

As I closed the book, my eyes shut with it and I prayed with every ounce of my being. “Dear Lord, please come into my heart.” I opened my hand and offered him the imaginary keys. “And take all the keys to every room. Clean them out and live there. I give my whole heart to you.” To the best of my child-like ability, I surrendered my life to Jesus. When my prayer ended, I felt this all-encompassing sense of peace. I tested it right away with thoughts of dying, and there was no fear! I was free from the biggest fear that plagues mankind.

I knew that Jesus would be with me from then on, wherever I went, and that one day, I would be with Him in heaven. Many years have come and gone since then. I won’t tell you that those years have all been easy because they haven’t. But this one thing I know. Christ is at home in my heart by faith because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross when he died for my sins. His death cancelled the debt I owed to God for my sin, and His resurrection gave me the power to become His child because I believe in His name. Even death can’t take that from me. And I look forward to being with Him face to face someday.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why? Jill Stengl, Maureen Lang, Hannah Alexander, Deborah Raney. Why? I have brainstormed with all of them, some more recently than others and we have been able to help each other. More importantly, they pray faithfully. They love Jesus. And I am blessed to know them.

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that. The short answer is no, I do not have a speaking ministry. I have spoken a few times to different groups, and I did consider a speaking ministry, but I found I did not have the energy for a second career, which a true speaking ministry could become. I admire those who can both write and speak, but for now, I will stick to writing.

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that? Some people who tell me this have already written the book but have not sold it. Others want to learn how and ask me questions. Still others say they will write a book one day, but that day has yet to come.

I don’t usually give too much advice unless they seem to want to hear it. Some people think they want to write, but they prefer to tell their story rather than write it down. Others, particularly those who write fiction, are usually serious about putting their thoughts down in written form. They may have written that first book or are working on it. Perhaps they’ve self-published it or are seeking an agent to go the traditional route.

In any case, if they want to know what it’s like to break into publishing, I can tell them what I know. If they want to learn how to write, I point them to ways to study the craft. If they simply say they’re going to write a book someday, I encourage them to do so. Advice isn’t usually wanted unless they directly ask for it.

Tell us about the featured book. The Prince and the Prodigal is the story of Joseph and his brother Judah.

Here is the back cover copy:

Joseph is the pampered favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers, deeply resentful of his status in the family, take advantage of the chance to get rid of him, selling him to slave traders and deceiving their father about his fate. It seems like their troubles are over. But for Joseph and older brother Judah, they are just beginning.

While Joseph is accused of rape and imprisoned, Judah attempts to flee the memory of his complicity in the betrayal of his younger brother. After decades apart, the brothers will come face-to-face in a stunning role reversal that sees Joseph in a position of great power while Judah begs for mercy. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is: www.jilleileensmith.com

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Thank you, Jill, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. Your biblical fiction is always awesome.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Prodigal-Jill-Eileen-Smith-ebook/dp/B09B2NZYTB/ref=sr_1_20?crid=O8S3BGHKFE29&keywords=jill+eileen+smith+books&qid=1659024908&s=books&sprefix=Jill+Eileen+Smith%2Cstripbooks%2C361&sr=1-20

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