Angels Walking (40 page)

The Chance

A dramatic story about fame, true love, and the cost of having it all.

Fifteen Minutes

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Dear Reader Friend,

I was on a flight from Texas to Arkansas during my last book tour when God gave me the idea for the Angels Walking series. It sort of came over me all at once, like the realization of first love or an unforgettable sunrise. I pulled out my notepad and began to scribble the ideas down as quickly as they came.

Forty minutes later when the flight landed, I had written more than thirty pages of outlines and synopses and character sketches. I had the sense that God had met me there—thirty thousand feet off the ground—and that my next four books might be my best ever.

In fact, the only other time I’ve felt that way was when I first outlined the Baxter Family books. I was on a flight then, too.

So why Angels Walking? Why a series that gives you a glimpse of the unseen, a chance to walk where angels walk? For one reason, contemporary literature has long been fascinated with the supernatural—usually the dark side of it. Vampires, witches, dragons, zombies: these are the subjects of so much of our entertainment.

But what about the light side?

See, the Bible says the supernatural world isn’t one of merely our imaginations. Rather, it is more real and lasting than anything in our tangible existence. In the Bible, 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Throughout the Bible, verses discuss the very real existence of angels. My favorite is Hebrews 13:2: “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing, some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

See that? Without knowing it. That’s the part I love.

That’s the whole point of the Angels Walking series. Most of the time when angels walk this planet we miss it. We have no idea. Sure, we might hesitate when just the right person brings us just the right message or bit of help—exactly when we need it.

But we rarely ask ourselves,
Was that an angel?

For years I’ve been writing Life-Changing Fiction™. God puts a story on my heart, but He has so many other hearts in mind. I hear that from you time and again. I’m really just a small part of the process. I’ve also reminded you for years that God has great plans for your life. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that.

With the Angels Walking series, I can bring both those elements together.

My prayer is that after reading this book, you’ll look a little more intently for God’s fingerprints in your life, His voice in your story. Maybe now you’ll pay more attention to the little miracles that happen all the time. And because of this series, every once in a while when someone brings you a message or a crucial bit of help, you’ll wonder if this is a case of Hebrews 13:2. And you’ll thank God because He would move heaven and earth for you. He’d go to the cross for you. And sometimes He’ll even send angels for you.

Angels walking.

In His light and love,

Karen Kingsbury

P.S. At the back of the next book, I’ll share my own angel encounter!

Angels Walking

Reading Group Guide

KAREN KINGSBURY

Use these questions to go deeper into the story or to encourage discussion with your small groups.

1.
 Read Hebrews 13:1–5 in the Bible. These verses list several things people ought to do in order to please God. In your own words, make a list of these bits of wisdom. Which of them hits you the most?

2.
 In the middle of these rules to live by is the one in Hebrews 13:2. Have you ever seen this verse? What does it mean to you?

3.
 What are your thoughts on the angelic meeting at the beginning of the book? Have you ever considered the idea that certain angels are chosen to interact with people and to accomplish various missions? Share and discuss your feelings.

4.
 
Angels Walking
gives us a way to see how angels might be working among us. Tell of a time when you or someone you know experienced what might have been an angelic encounter.

5.
 Did reading
Angels Walking
help open your eyes to the way God is working in your life? Explain.

6.
 Often the greatest enemy we face is our own discouragement and negative talk. How did discouragement threaten to destroy Tyler Ames? How have defeatist thoughts harmed you now or in the past?

7.
 Tyler was on a quest for perfection from the time he boarded the bus for the minor leagues. How did that work out for Tyler? How was his attempt at being perfect possibly connected to his very great failures and losses?

8.
 Why did Tyler want to be perfect? Do you try for perfection? How has such a goal harmed you or someone you know?

9.
 How and when did Tyler begin to understand grace? How is the goal of perfection connected to the need for grace? Explain.

10.
 Why did Sami Dawson try to be perfect? How was her reason for perfection different from Tyler’s?

11.
 Explain the role fear played in Sami’s life. How has fear shaped your life or your behavior? Are you a people pleaser? Explain.

12.
 Why did Tyler define his worth according to his career? Talk about a time when you or someone you know allowed their career to define their worth.

13.
 Read 1 Corinthians 12. The Bible talks about everyone having a role to play. Why is this helpful for people who find their self-worth in their career? How does this speak to you?

14.
 How was Tyler surprised by his conversation with Sami at Pensacola Beach? He thought Sami valued him because he
could play baseball. Explain how Sami really saw Tyler. How could this part of their story help you or someone you know in
your
story?

15.
 Explain the chain of events that led Tyler to a new life of grace. Talk about a time when a series of unusual events led to something life-changing for you or someone you know.

16.
 Why and how did the miracle at work in Tyler’s life affect the people around him? Share a time when a miracle or answered prayer in your life touched people around you. Why do you think it’s important to recognize how our stories affect the stories of others in our lives?

17.
 How did Tyler’s miracle turn out differently from what he had hoped and expected? Talk about a time when you received a different result or answer than you had hoped or prayed for.

18.
 Sometimes an attitude of forgiveness can change a person’s life. Explain how that happened in Tyler’s life. Tell of a time when an apology changed your life or the life of someone you know.

19.
 Why is it important to never give up on the people you love? Discuss how Tyler’s parents destroyed their relationship with their son. What was the result for his parents? For Tyler?

20.
 Restoration is part of life. How was Tyler’s story restored in
Angels Walking
? How about Sami’s story? Has your story ever experienced restoration and healing? Share it.

One Chance Foundation

T
HE KINGSBURY FAMILY IS
passionate about seeing orphans all over the world brought home to their forever families. As a result, Karen created a charitable group called the One Chance Foundation.

This foundation was inspired by the memory of her father, Ted C. Kingsbury. Ted always said, “Life is not a dress rehearsal. We have one chance to love, one chance to truly live!”

Karen often tells her reader friends that they have “one chance to write the story of their lives!”™ Now, with Karen’s One Chance Foundation, readers can join her in the belief that all of us have one chance to make a difference in the lives of orphans.

In the Bible, James 1:27 says people with pure and genuine religion care for orphans. The One Chance Foundation was created with that truth in mind.

If you are interested in giving to Karen’s One Chance Foundation and having your dedication printed in one of Karen’s upcoming
novels, visit
www.KarenKingsbury.com
. Below are dedications from some of Karen’s reader friends who have contributed to the One Chance Foundation:

In honor of Edith Kemp with love forever

In memory of sweet Bella

In memory of my precious Benjamin

With love to all our Baltzly Miracles!

For my #1 mom and friend, Alice Farnworth

For the love of reading—Angela Loper

To the best sister, Peggy Joyce Roberts

The best daughter ever, Rachel Chapman

To my beautiful daughter, Ruth Anne

Grammie—Too much! Love, The Cousins

Nicole and Linny, you are Prov. 31! Hejo

Dedicated to my mom, Carol Reynolds

Teichroeb, Elias, and Reimer: I love you—H

Merry Christmas, MawMaw! Love, Macey and Morgan

In honor of Macey and Morgan—Love, Mom and Dad

My precious daughter, Kelly Aylsworth Keys—Mom

To our sweet daughter, Heather Hankins

Thanks for all the Hawaiian sunsets, Mom!

Blessed: Thank You, Jesus! N. S. Okano & CMM

Merry Christmas, Wendy Kerstetter, Love ya

For JoAnn Williams—Love, Jessica

To our Children and Grandchildren—Joyce and Nath

In honor of all RNs by Juleen Henderson

Theresa Parent, follow your dreams, Babe

To Michelle Stiller, the best mom ever!

To our beloved hero, Sherilyn Kingsbury

We love and miss you, Hollis Layne Richer

Merry Christmas to the O’Connell Gang

For my best friend and mom, Lori Erickson

For Patsy Callaway and Waynetta Myers

To our miracles, Jer. 29:11—K&S Holman

In memory of Grandma Gerry and Grandma J.

In memory of Grandpa Conaway—Love, Laura

Mama, your life, legacy, and love live on

To Kaitlyn, Hailey, Leyla, and Elton with love, Lila

The Virginia Riggers Family

In memory of Maria Javier and Rey DeLaCruz

To my angel, Dominique Zuniga—Love, Mater

In memory of Sara Blair Brakebill

In memory of Sandra Mason Vanwinkle

Ken and Melanie Stoy, James 1:17

Ruby McKay, thank you! Love you! KMZAPxo

Brenda Helwig, we love you!

My light and guidance, Mom and Dad Lappa

Merry Christmas Gekas/Simmons families!

Pamela L. Brown

For Melissa Senter Roberson—Love, Mom

PTL4 His gift of Riley and Vanessa Roberts

In memory of my husband, Dr. Bill Butler

Vernon and Sharon Evers and Family

To my dear sister, Dawn Johnson

Proud of Marisa Farrugia’s giving heart!

Shannon Barth, two years cancer-free! Yay!

Joan Thomson, beautiful inside and out!

To my very best, Tayler and Clay