1283) I have been working on the prequel to my novel, The Bottle House. It will reveal the backstory of the beloved Chaplain Miller. Though I have written for years, mostly non-fiction, I have enjoyed writing fiction with a purpose. I am not one who believes there is anything wrong with reading for pleasure, but I have always devoured fiction that leaves me with something to think about. This was a goal with my first novel and is also with this new one.

Considering this, in my prequel, Joseph Miller is going to wrestle with the Biblical account of Peter; who he was, and how he came to the point when he denied Jesus. Exactly how that’s going to come together, I don’t know yet but I do know the choice Peter made to deny Jesus had a pivotal effect on his life, culminating upon one obscure detail scripture reveals that must have been a key to Peter’s recognition that Jesus forgave him and then, he is able to forgive himself. (What is this little detail found in the account of Peter’s life? Well… you’ll have to wait until the book is finished if you can’t find it for yourself.)

I am not writing this minute to sell a future book. Instead, this comes to mind when I read 2 Timothy 2:12. The second part of the verse says, if you disown or deny Jesus, he will disown or deny you. Ultimately, this denial is not referring to Peter’s lack of courage to admit he was a disciple of Jesus, instead, it’s more fundamental than that. I believe it’s referring to anyone who refuses to accept Jesus as their Savior. This refusal (cause) brings eternal denial (effect) by God stating he does not accept you as his child because you have not been washed in the lamb’s blood.

To be disowned or denied can be painful enough within our relationships, how much more painful would this denial be for eternity?

Make a choice and remember, to not choose is to choose.