Steven James - Flirting with the Forbidden: Finding Grace in a World of Temptation

2012 by Steven James

Published by Revell

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.revellbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2011

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-4412-3604-3

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Some of the material from The Fine Line is taken from How to Smell Like God (Standard Publishing, 2002) by Steven James.

The chapter The Wedding is based on material that first appeared in Story: Recapture the Mystery (Revell, 2006) by Steven James. Used by permission.

Some of the concepts in Leaving the Boat come from Never the Same by Steven James. Copyright 2005 by Youth Specialties.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Scripture quotations labeled Message are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the 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.

Praise for Story: Recapture the Mystery

A journey full of wonder, tears, joy, despair, and hope revealed through the eyes and heart of a storyteller. Publishers Weekly , starred review

It is a potpourri of language and imagery, mingled to delicious effect, calling the reader to see the gospel story with fresh eyes, breaking through the numbness of familiarity to expose the wonder and adventure God offers. This highly original retelling of the Scripture is often beautiful, often haunting, and thoroughly compelling. It is a reminder that Christs promise of life, anew is constantly with us, then, now, and always. BookPage

I loved it so much that I am going right out to buy it so that I can loan it out to people. Beautiful poetry. The story I have always known and wanted to tell, told as I have imagined telling it. Using stories, poetry, memories, scriptures, and a childlike wonderment that is disarming and playful. I wish I had written it. Simply fantastic.garagebandtheatre.blogspot.com

Storyteller Steven James assumes an enormous responsibility in this slim volume: retelling the entire story of redemption for a postmodern audience that needs to hearand experiencethat story in a fresh and powerful way. In the hands of a lesser writer, such a task could easily fall flat. Not so with James. Through his honest prose and beautiful poetry, he delivers on the promise inherent in the books subtitle. He does indeed enable us to recapture the mystery. Everything in this bookevery image, every metaphor, every thought, every sentencepoints the way to the cross and the resurrection and the profound love of God. Story resonates with both the postmodern seeker and the mature Christian who longs for a fresh experience with God.FaithfulReader.com

Jamess luxuriant writing is deeply perceptive of the divinity, humanity, and mystery of Christ. The book is an astonishingly personal journey of Gods love for weak, fallen humanity. Comparing the Bible story to a true fairy tale, were called to awaken with Christ. CBA Retailers + Resources

The greatest story ever toldthat of Jesusis retold in this book, Story , by one of Americas most brilliant young authors, Steven James. His poetry, written in short lines with no caps, is lyrical and powerfulbeautiful and often painful to read. If you want a book to make you view Jesus and the story of the Bible from a whole different vantage point, to feel his pain and the wonder of it again, this is that book to savor and treasure.ChristianBookPreviews.com

The greatest story ever told is recapped in short excerpts, building verse-by-verse in a modern fashion, as the reader journeys through this cleverly crafted book. From the manger to the cross, James connects the dots and uses modern-day examples to create a trendy devotional-like book that is an easy yet enjoyable read. CCM Magazine

James has a gift of relating the story of the Bible to life today. In this incredible book, professional storyteller Steven James tackles the greatest story of them all: the story of redemption. Jamess grasp of language is breathtaking and his power of description unequaled.National Womens Ministries Department of the Assemblies of God

Story is a book that will give you a new perspective on the intricately woven tales the Bible offers. Both deep enough for longtime believers and simple enough for the curious, Steven James has done a good job making this information interesting, humorous, understandable, and relevant.1340mag.com

Story retells the Christian story in a way that is fresh and brings new life. After hearing the Easter story in drab ways for years, it can lose its punch. Use Story to breathe new life into the story of Christs death and resurrection.Relevant Media Group

To Neil and Lisa Owen

I lost two sons today.

One to his brother, the other to himself.

And I screamed.

Screamed into the darkening day.

But Death had come and there is no turning back, no rebirthing again. This I have learned. This is the lesson of my life.

Perhaps I should have seen it coming.

Yesterday, when I was preparing the morning meal with Cain, I had the small, tender sense that things had changed.

He told me that God had spoken to him, and I felt a flare of jealousy. God had spoken to me in the garden, yes, but hadnt spoken to any of us since the rift, the great divide. Since wed been banished from the place of harmony.

What did God say to you? I asked my son.

He was slow in responding. It was a message for me. I caught the hint of a grin. Only for me.

His words were like a slap in the face.

First he taunted me and now he was drawing satisfaction from it.

Tell me, Son. What message did God give you?

He eyed me. He told me that sin is crouching at my door, that it wants to control me. But that I must master it.

I was quiet. I didnt know if this truly was the Lord speaking to him, but it was a message my son definitely needed to hear and I doubted he would have come up with those words on his own.

Then you must master the sin, Cain, I said. The Lord will help you.

He told me I needed to do it. A touch of venom in his words. He never told me he would help me.

Do not talk that way.

Dont speak in truth? You would have me

Stop. I stemmed off the argument. Trust that God will help you and youll be able to resist.

Then Cain smiled. Dont worry, he said. Ill resist.

Dont open the door.

I wont open the door.

It would be easier if I didnt remember the way things were in the Garden. Its the knowing that hurts, the knowing that things were different once, that harmony was possible. I wish I didnt know that, wish I could just erase the memories once and for all, forget it and live as if this were the best of all possible worlds.