The Renewal
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4. Put yourself in Leslie’s shoes. Did you think, initially, that her relationship with Mike held great promise for the future? Did your feelings change later in the book? If so, when—and why?
5. What were your feelings about the initial attractions between Leslie and Jack? Were you concerned? Supportive? Did those feelings change as the story developed? If so, when—and why?
1. How did Amelia’s relationship with Julian and Amelia’s relationship with Samuel parallel the relationships between Leslie and Jack? Between Leslie and Mike? What kind of life would you be tempted to choose, based on your personality? Why?
7. What was it about Amelia’s diary that was so intriguing to Leslie? Why do you think she was so attached to it?
8. Trace the development of Leslie’s spiritual journey. What situations, people, and events in the story were instrumental in pointing her toward God?
9. Trace the development of Jack’s increasing awareness of God in his life. What situations, people, and events were catalysts in his spiritual journey?
10. How did you feel about the counsel and advice that Pastor Blake gave to Leslie? Was it sound? Why or why not? Who has acted as your counselor or mentor? In what ways did that help you—or not help you?
11. Leslie comes to the realization that no one in her life had ever really believed in her. When Pastor Blake tells her that he believes in her, what happens in Leslie’s heart? How does this influence her recovery? How can encouragement make a difference in someone’s life? When has someone encouraged you, and made a difference? When have you played the encourager and seen the impact?
12. Jack finally comes to understand that he is in bondage to himself. How does that help in his recovery? How does bondage to self relate to addiction?
13. Describe your reaction to the scene when Jack revisits the grave site of his wife and daughter with the bottle of liquor. Did you think he would keep his vow? Why or why not? Is there a “place” you need to revisit to end the grip of a past event on your present and your future?
14. What did you think of Randy Ruskin? Do you know someone like him? How do you respond to that person?
15. What did you think of Alice and Frank Adams and their venture? Have you ever “risked” to do something unusual in an unusual place? What happened as a result? In what ways did you surprise yourself and others—for the good?
16. What parts did Ava, Mrs. Stickle, and Mrs. DiGiulio play in Leslie’s spiritual growth?
17. What role did Ethan Willis, Jack’s former boss, play in Jack’s recovery? What kind of influence did Earl, the bartender, have on Jack? Why?
18. What did you think was in the locked storage room of the Midlands Building? Were you disappointed? Why or why not?
19. Were you surprised by the outcome of Amelia’s story and her words in the last journal entry? What lessons could be learned from her life? Which lesson touches your life the most—and why?
20. What was your reaction to Leslie’s choice between Mike and Jack in the end? Did you surprise yourself? If so, in what ways? Do you think it’s always best to follow your heart? Would you have followed Amelia’s advice to do so, or would you have taken a safer route? Explain.
THE RENEWAL
Published by David C Cook
4050 Lee Vance View
Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.
David C Cook Distribution Canada
55 Woodslee Avenue, Paris, Ontario, Canada N3L 3E5
David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications
Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England
The graphic circle C logo is a registered trademark of David C Cook.
All rights reserved. No part of this ebook may be reproduced, scanned, resold, or distributed by or through any print or electronic medium without written permission from the publisher. This ebook is licensed solely for the personal and noncommercial use of the original authorized purchaser, subject to the terms of use under which it was purchased. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
This story is a work of fiction. All characters and events are the product of the author’s
imagination. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is coincidental.
All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. (Public
Domain.) A Paraphrase of the Lord’s Prayer by H. Hastings Weld is taken from Godey’s Lady’s Book, vol. 41 (Philadelphia: L. A. Godey, 1850), unnumbered front matter.
“If I Should Fall Behind” from Lucky Town © 1992 Bruce Springsteen.
LCCN 2008940795
ISBN 978-0-7814-4890-1
eISBN 978-1-4347-6436-2
© 2009 Terri Kraus
Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc.,
7680 Goddard St., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
The Team: Andrea Christian, Ramona Tucker, Amy Kiechlin,
Sarah Schultz, Jack Campbell, Karen Athen
Cover Design: Brand Navigation, Bill Chiaravalle
Cover Photos: Getty Images, PhotoAlto Agency;
Getty Images, UpperCut Images; iStockphoto
First Edition 2009
If you enjoyed this title, visit DCCeBooks.com for more great reads.
What people are saying about …
The Project Restoration Series
“The Renewal is a sweet, gentle, authentic story that sneaks up on you and grabs hold of your heart. It’s an unanticipated gift, a tender unfolding, a tale of two people who carry heavy emotional burdens and their struggle to finally shed those burdens and find new life. This is a very special story written by a very special author—a book of quiet peace, intense realism, and poignant, God-inspired truth. I’ll remember this book for a long time to come.”
Kathleen Morgan, author of As High as the Heavens and One Perfect Gift
“The Renovation is a beautifully crafted story about the broken relationship between a man and his son, and the joyful restoration of a mended heart and an old mansion. Engaging characters move the story along at a wonderful pace.”
Lori Copeland, author of Simple Gifts and Monday Morning Faith
“In a captivating and evocative story, Terri Kraus skillfully weaves distance, longing, forgiveness, and redemption into a cast of unforgettable characters. This is a book to savor and ponder.”
Nancy Ortberg, former teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church and author of LookingforGod
“Renovate your reading schedule to include this great new title by Terri Kraus! In The Renovation, Kraus crafts a tale that both tugs at the heart and tickles the funny bone.”
Cyndy Salzmann, author of the highly acclaimed Friday Afternoon Club Mystery series
“Terri Kraus has woven an absorbing and deeply felt story of forgiveness that touches both the magnificence of heaven and the tenderly drawn detail of human relationship. Subtly and with compassion she explores the struggle of ordinary people finding their way through the complex emotional legacies of past pain, to the simplicity and peace of experiencing God’s forgiveness and love. This is a compelling, memorable, honest story, offering hope and deepening faith.”
Penelope Wilcock, author of The Clear Light of Day