Today’s post comes from author Susan Spess, and Susan touches on the difficulty of naming her new book and her love for the “golden rule” in Matthew 7:12. Welcome, Susan Spess!
I had a difficult time naming my storybook town. First, I thought, Skinner, and then another unworthy suggestion, but my critique partners weren’t pleased with the names. So, I threw out “Jordan Valley.”
Yes!
They loved it.
But the name wasn’t original to me. It’s what my hometown was called a long time ago.
From okhistory.org: Before the Cherokee Outlet Opening on September 16, 1893, John W. Jordan as well as other Cherokee had taken allotments in the outlet. Soon after the opening, Jordan and others formed the Jordan Valley Townsite Company.
I’ve lived here (off and on) since I was five years old. I’ve read that my town had tons of saloons and brothels before statehood when oil was discovered, and men flocked in to work in the oilfields.
My hometown isn’t like that anymore. We have very few bars and no brothels! And we have lots of churches.
In ROUNDUP, Mitch puts his life on the line when Jessie’s horse, Buck, falls, and her foot is stuck through the stirrup. Afterward, his family takes Jessie home with them and gives her a place to live and work while Buck heals.
While she’s there, they introduce her to Christ by living for Him.
That always makes me think of the first scripture (or partial scripture) I learned. “Do unto others . . .” The Golden Rule says:
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12, NIV
I really like how The Message translates the Golden Rule: Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets, and this is what you get.
Mitch Tanner, his red-headed brothers, and his mother live as true Christians, doing what Jesus said. Loving and sharing, they gently lead Jessie to Jesus, but they don’t force her.
That’s the essence of the Christian life, isn’t it?
Check out Susan Spess’s book, Jordan Valley Roundup!
While barrel racing to earn enough to pay her uncle’s debts, Jessie Cobler’s horse falls. She cries out to God, certain she’s about to die, but the quick action of Mitch Tanner saves her life. She accepts an offer to stay on the cowboy’s family’s ranch so she and her horse can rest and heal. It’s the perfect place to hide from those who threaten to tear her dreams apart.
Bull rider Mitch Tanner is determined to earn professional status to honor his deceased father, but running a ranch and helping with his younger siblings leaves time for little else. Having Jessie on the ranch is a distraction he can’t afford. After all, he doesn’t have time for love.
As Mitch and Jesse work together to rescue abused animals will Mitch discover there’s more to life than earning a status? Will he be able to help heal Jesse’s broken heart and spirit and lead her to the Lord?
You can buy Jordan Valley Roundup at Amazon or directly from the publisher. Connect with Susan Spess through her website or on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.