Karla Cook

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Today, I’m participating in a book review tour for Induction, a Christian romantic suspense novel by Chautona Havig. It is a prequel to The Agency Files series.
https://t.co/3C7ek0fJYK

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Check out my review of Shilo by Jennifer Lynn Cary: https://t.co/HOxTYpmZJL

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Check out my review of The Herbalist: https://t.co/Yx7CZSaXSv

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Check out my review of Unexpected Hope (along with a giveaway) on the blog today: https://t.co/rqUeqkYFiZ

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

New book review and giveaway on my blog! https://t.co/z9InXfFCCU

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Check out my review of this children's early chapter book: Mary the Missionary... https://t.co/zF9ghSFMMY

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Book review and giveaway on my blog:
https://t.co/eDVK4AQloG

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Book Review and Giveaway! https://t.co/9Uwf5ldIne

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Check out my review of Written in Secret by Crystal Caudill:
https://t.co/l2EcPfxpzq

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Check out my review of The Curator's Secret by Denise Weimer: https://t.co/ulD9Q77DUo

[justreadtours @justreadtours]

#giveaway "This sweet book would make a lovely gift for the next baby shower you’re invited to… or for your own little one for Resurrection Sunday!" Read Karla's #BookReview for JESUS LOVES ME, THIS I KNOW! #justreadtours @KregelBooks

https://t.co/sVbQvnklw1

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Check out my review of Anything by Kristina Welch and enter the giveaway! https://t.co/E7lZlz0I3w

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Giveaway.
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of the book and a $25 Amazon gift card! (see JustRead website for details)
Enter giveaway via @justreadtours

@KregelBooks #justreadtours #GrandmaRuthDoesntGotoFunerals #SharonMondragon #KregelBooks

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

If you enjoy southern small-town cozy mysteries, you'll want to nab a copy of Sharon J. Mondragon's latest book to find out why Grandma Ruth Doesn't Go to Funerals!

"Something is brewing in Raeburne’s Ferry, Georgia–and it’s not sweet tea." @justreadtours

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Today, I’m sharing a book review of Whispers of Fortune, a western Christian historical romance by Mary Connealy, published by Bethany House. https://t.co/s0eTdoBL9h

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Check out my review of The Resurrection Project and enter the giveaway for a chance to win two books plus a $25 Amazon gift card!

https://t.co/i8aAydMFv7

#theresurrectionproject #tanyasparksbelvin @justreadtours

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

My day at The Homestead Schoolhouse...
https://t.co/LmZu1nZSOE

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

Christmas Reading Challenge and Freebies -- list updated regularly throughout the month of December!
https://t.co/26nUVkZwvV

[Karla Cook @karlaroads]

https://t.co/5hhfLVyK6b

[Owen Strachan @ostrachan]

"Christians MUST vote."

"As a Christian, I can't vote--my faith is why."

There's a lot of chatter about Christians and voting right now (I wonder why). On this subject, here's a verse that has been on my mind: "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)

I'm not going to try and answer every particular about voting. But with reference to this verse, I will say this: Christians are not in the world to pass the time. Like Esther in the old covenant, we are here with urgency. There is a sword hanging over our head. There is a devil prowling the earth, hungry for our blood, and the blood of all humanity besides.

Esther did not choose her moment in history. She did not ask for it. She was shocked and vexed by what she faced in the house of Xerxes. Interestingly, Esther's turmoil was not only spiritual; it was political. She didn't seek out an incredibly important political role; it found her, much like it has found the American church in 2024.

Esther's example matters for us. Her uncle Mordecai saw it right: there was nothing accidental about her role in Xerxes' kingdom. It was providentially appointed. So is ours. We Americans are here in 2024 "for such a time as this." We're not here by accident. This is our moment to be "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-14).

We are not here for our comfort. We are here to be the conscience of the nation. We are here to defend those who cannot defend themselves. We are here to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. We are here to love our neighbor according to the truth, even when our neighbor does not see our godly action as loving.

Christians are hotly debating whether we must not vote right now. I am not going to bind your conscience. I cannot do so, in fact; only Scripture can, and the New Testament does not command us to vote. But I can tell you that everything about the Scripture is oriented to godly moral action in a fallen world.

You scan the sweep of biblical theology, and over and over again, you find men and women pushed into the burning center of their times. They were asked to show great faith, and great courage, and attempt great things for God. And so, by God's great grace, they did.

This reminds us as believers: nothing about our faith is quietist. Nothing about our faith is selfish. Everything about our faith is ordered for the good of others, and the glory of God. This helps clarify how I personally engage other believers about politics.

For my humble part, I'm not going to scream at my fellow Christians to vote. I'm not going to hurl slander at those who disagree with me on any side. What am I going to do (and what I think is sound for pastors to do) is this: ask you what you're here for. If Esther was placed in her pagan context "for such a time as this," why are you and I here? By the grace of God, what good can we do while there is still time?

You might look out at the world and think, "Yeah, but this country is cooked. We're under judgment. It's all over." I would understand that sentiment and agree to a degree. But you know who else looked out at a seemingly hopeless situation, living in a pagan and very broken country, with a king who did not bow before the God of heaven and earth in humble worship?

Esther.

And may I remind that through Esther--through a young woman--the Jews were saved from their murderous oppressors? That all history was changed? That the fate of God's people was protected? That millions upon millions were blessed? All through one young woman's courageous moral action. So, in love and hope and good cheer, I ask you again: alongside proclaiming Christ and living for his glory in the ordinary rhythms of life, what would God have you do?

Why, in this moment in history, are you here?