Guest Author - Diana Pederson

Anthony and Terri Murdock appear on the surface to be living a faithful, good life. Anthony was a minister-in-training serving as the youth and young adult leader of a small Baptist church of Shepherd Hills. He also was a former leader of a fast growing marketing firm. His wife worked in a firm doing interior decorating.

Anthony, age 29, appeared to be following the Lord’s leading to be a preacher. Terri was going in another direction—she wanted a lifestyle not often afforded by a preacher. There is a major difference in their expectations of marriage too—in fact, it left me wondering why they had married in the first place.

The story opens with a church service where Anthony is doing the preaching. Underneath his smiling exterior was a problem from his previous job. There was even the possibility of outright wrong-doing in his former business. Anthony was worried that some money he had received under mysterious conditions would be his total undoing.

Finally, he works up enough courage to discuss the entire situation with the senior pastor and even hands in his resignation. Two groups of people wanted the same parcel of land for different purposes. Some members of the church were involved in the political decision making process that needed to take place. Unfortunately, the sheriff got involved too because of probable wrongdoing on the part of some of the people involved.

Spiritual Lessons

Although the story is fascinating and fast moving, the real effect of this book is to show people how God can lead us even through the most difficult and sometimes, outright scary situations. It shows the thought process Anthony has to go through as he sorts out what position to take on the community issue. He has to weigh what the Lord seems to be saying versus what the unknown people sending him money want.

I felt this book represented what many Christians struggle with today. How do I live out my Christian faith in my work, in my business dealings, and in my church? Anthony understands that he has been showing a false face to the congregation where he grew up. They heard his words and strongly encouraged his preaching. They couldn’t see the struggle underneath the surface.

Conclusion

Although I won’t give away the conclusion, I do want you to read this book. It may well represent you and people in your church today. I believe it will get you started thinking about how to be “real” no matter what situation you are in. You’ll also get some good counseling from the senior pastor! You’ll be strongly reminded that we need to put Christ first, and not our desire for new cars, a fancy home, or other material things that keep us from serving the Lord.

Leslie J. Sherrod is a writer we will be hearing from in the future. She has a heart for letting Christ use her to communicate His message to the world. Her skills at weaving a believable story are outstanding. It’s easy to feel like you are living the story yourself, through the characters she creates. I am definitely looking forward to future books from her in the future.
Leslie J. Sherrod. Like Sheep Gone Astray. Walk Worth Press/Warner Books. 2006.