The Gifted by Terri Blackstock

This is the second Terri Blackstock novella I have read recently. This one is connected to "The Listener" by it's theme. In "The Listener", one person received a supernatural gift from God. In "The Gifted" it is three people who are blessed.

At the start of the story, three Christians are trying to start a Bible study at work. They are attempting to reach the unsaved. No one else shows up. They discover that none of them really promoted the study to their non-Christian coworkers. This is followed by a massive earthquake. All three are injured(one is blinded, one has his legs crushed, the other has the inside of his throat burned). They all start thinking about the things the should have been doing to spread the gospel. The next morning they wake up to find that all have been healed. In addition, God has blessed each of them with a supernatural gift.

The main part of the story follows them as they work together using the new gifts God has given them. Many lives are changed as they apply their gifts. My favorite part is the last chapter. The whole message about the body of Christ working together, even if you don not have a supernatural gift, is one that all Christians need to remember. At times it is easy to forget that everything we do is for God. And that non-Christians could be watching and making decisions about Christ based on what you are doing.

Terri Blackstock lived in a section of Mississippi that lost power for 5 days during hurricane Katrina. That storm showed the bad side of people(looting and robbing) but it also showed the good in people. Many have sent help and money to aid those who suffered through the storm. This gives the church another opportunity to show the world how Christ calls us to use our gifts to help the kingdom. It is similar to what she wrote in this book.

The Listener by Terri Blackstock

This was the first book by Terri Blackstock that I read. The author fills this 155 page novella with examples of the different ways you can witness to non-believers. Although this may not sound like an exciting story, I was hooked from the first page to the last. Based on the strength of this story, I will read more novels by the author.

After his pastor delivers a sermon on listening to people the way God listens, Sam Bennett has a dream about a woman looking for a lost coin. He hears a voice that speaks with the authority of God. When he wakes in the morning, Sam suddenly starts hearing people talking. The problem is that no one is speaking. It turns out that he has been given a gift by God. He can hear a person's deepest need just by being near them. Sam believes that he has been cursed by God. His minister explains that this is a blessing. The story follows what happens as Sam and his minister explore this gift.

Just reading this story will help you realize how many times we don't actually listen to people. Especially those in need of our help. The majority of people we come in contact with are looking for something. Even if only one person starts listening to those in need and fills that need by introducing them to Christ then this book will have accomplished it's goal. I cannot imagine the impact it would have on our communities. This is one of those books that should be read by every Christian.