The Messenger (43 page)

It is a commonly held belief in the publishing industry that Revolutionary War–era novels don’t sell, so I am extremely grateful to my editors, Dave and Sarah Long, who took a chance on this book. My critique partner, Maureen Lang, encouraged me during my first drafts when it seemed as if this story would never get written. And my agent, Natasha Kern, spurred me on at the end with some insightful suggestions. But most of all, I’d like to thank my husband, who kept insisting on calling this my “spy book” even as I kept referring to it as my “Quaker book.”
Tu as raison
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1. James Bond, Benedict Arnold, Nathan Hale, Mata Hari. In what cases is spying admirable? In what cases is it dishonorable?
   

2. Do you have a disability or know anyone who does? How does this affect self-image? What sort of limitations does it place upon interactions with other people?
   

3. What causes is your church passionate about? What causes are you passionate about? How do these causes affect your faith?
   

4. What did you know about the Quaker faith before reading this book? Did any of the things you learned about it surprise you? What parts of the Quaker faith do you find admirable?
   

5. Quakers believe strife is caused by lust. Do you agree?
   

6. What are your thoughts about pacifism? How do they fit with your views about faith? Did your thoughts change any while you were reading this book?
   

7. In Chapter 23, Jeremiah Jones says, “You can’t base your faith on a position. You can’t live your life as a protest. Because sooner or later positions resolve themselves. And then what’s left?” Do you agree with him?
   

8. Have you ever had to choose between a cause and your faith? A person and your faith? What parameters or criteria did you use to guide you?
   

9. Why is it that prisoners of war seem so often to be abused? Why is it that our modern world hasn’t been able to stop this from happening?
   

10. Have you ever felt burdened by a message from God? Did you share it or did you keep it to yourself? Why?