Riven - Jerry B. Jenkins [216]
Thomas officiated the brief, very private ceremony, attended by fewer than twenty people. Besides a few state officials, the group consisted of the warden, the warden’s secretary and her husband, Brady’s aunt and uncle, his mother, his lawyer, her husband, and the chaplain’s wife.
Grace was bundled head to toe despite the heat and sat in a wheelchair. Thomas knew it was likely her last venture outside their home. But she had insisted on attending, and he would not deny her.
After Thomas spoke and the casket was lowered, Gladys sang “Rock of Ages,” which had been Grace’s suggestion. Most hummed along, but Thomas noticed that Ravinia joined in, full voice.
As they were leaving, Brady’s aunt Lois confided to Thomas that Erlene Darby had agreed to move in with her and Carl, “just for a few months until she can get back on her feet. We’re going to get her to church somehow.”
Dirk and Ravinia were back in counseling and talking about his moving back home again.
Four months later, many of the same contingent joined the congregation at Village Church for Grace Carey’s funeral. And, acceding to his beloved’s last request, Thomas asked Gladys to sing the same hymn again.
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring.
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyelids close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Again Ravinia joined in the singing, and as she and Dirk and Summer rode with Thomas to the cemetery, she reached for her father’s hand.
“I want to come home,” she said.
“Oh, I’ll be fine,” he said.
“No, I mean home to church. Will you save me a seat?”
Christ
Yesterday, Today, Forever
Praise for Riven
“Thoroughly moving, Riven leaves an indelible impression on the reader. Its characters and message stay with you long after the final chapter. For me, it is also a deeply personal reminder of why God called me to prison ministry so many years ago.”
Chuck Colson, founder, Prison Fellowship
“Jerry Jenkins sets the standard for creative stories and compelling novels. Any bookshelf that is lacking his writing is missing a treasure.”
Max Lucado, pastor and best-selling author
“Jerry Jenkins writes from his heart a unique and engaging story. Riven is touching and unforgettable.”
Randy Alcorn, best-selling author of Heaven
“This novel will stay with you long after the final page. Riven’s complex characters will keep you riding an emotional wave until you are washed ashore in an astonishing conclusion. Read Riven at your own risk. It might unsettle the way you live.”
Dr. Michael and Cindy Easley
Dr. Easley is president of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago
“Some books are fun to read; other books testify to real life transformation. Riven does both. You’ll recognize yourself in the characters—the weary man of God, the rebel without cause, the searching
20-something. Find in their stories the place where real life begins—on level ground at the foot of the cross. Jenkins gives hope to anyone thinking that they’ve run too far from God. Riven pictures God’s relentless pursuit of each of us. Riven is a testimony to God’s power to transform any and every repentant person.”
James MacDonald, pastor and Bible teacher, Walk in the Word
Table of Contents
Part One
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2
3
4
5
6
7
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10
11
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