A Measure Of Faith [Paperback]

Maxine Billings (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

Lynette and her husband, Robert, had come a long way since they first met twenty-one years ago. Together they had constructed a beautiful house—and made two beautiful children—in Robert's home state of Georgia. Lynette's happiness was a wonderful gift after a lonely, motherless childhood. But now, just two weeks from her fortieth birthday, Lynette has received distressing news from her doctor—and for the first time in a long time, she feels deeply unhappy, indignant and disappointed. She's always tried to be a good person. Why is something bad happening to her?

Robert knows that if his wife ever needed his understanding and support, it's now. And he is determined to give it to her. He wishes he could heal her sorrow, but knows only the power of faith can—and will—do that. And sure enough, just as Lynette worries she may be losing something vital, she finds something even more important—something she's been longing for all of her life. Now, if only she can crumble the wall of doubt in her heart and let the joy come through—.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Kimani Press (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158314465X
• ISBN-13: 978-1583144657
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,245,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Maxine Billings is a native of Villa Rica, GA. She now lives in Temple, GA with her husband Tony and their daughter Natasha and son Stefan. Maxine also works full-time as a Program Assistant for the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Maxine has enjoyed reading and writing as far back as she can remember. During her summer vacations from school, she participated in the reading program at the local library and spent most of her time reading. She also likes to write poetry. In the tenth grade, one of her poems was published in a school anthology. She liked writing so much that she always wrote more on writing assignments than what the teacher required. One of her cousins used to tease her profusely because she always wrote so much when he only wrote what the class was told and got the same grade as her, an A. When he found out that she had become a published author, he told her that he was glad all that writing she used to do finally paid off.

Maxine loves to read and write wholesome stories that inspire people in positive ways and give them hope. When she isn't writing, she loves spending time in spiritual activities and with her family. She also likes to dance, listen to Jazz and R & B, and do container gardening.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Where Is Your Faith?, April 2, 2004

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Measure Of Faith (Paperback)

By any onlookers standards, Lynnette and Robert are an ideal couple. The two have been together for 21 years, have a beautiful home and two teenaged children that would make any parent proud. In addition, they both have their own small businesses, Lynnette is an interior designer and store owner. Robert has his own construction business, and he frequently works with his wife. When Lynnette gets what she considers to be devastating news regarding her health, life as she knows it begins to change. Her once stable marriage is suddenly shaky and less fulfilling. Many of the things she once considered top priorities no longer seem important. As the story progresses, the family tries to adjust to the tumultuousness that the changes in Lynnette bring and just when they seem to reach a turning point, the family is slammed with even more shocking news.

A MEASURE OF FAITH is a somewhat predictable story and it lacks the powerful spiritual message that is the hallmark of Christian Fiction. The characters attend church and occasionally refer to God or Christianity but this was more of an afterthought instead of being central to the story being told. I found it difficult to relate to and feel for Lynette, she came across as overly whiney and self-centered. I think the author did a reasonable job developing the character of Lynette and working in enough about her past so that readers could understand her better. However, some of the other characters in the book were one-dimensional and I would have liked to have seen more character development so that I could understand what made them tick. Despite these limitations A MEASURE OF FAITH is a light, pleasant read that is a noble freshman effort by Maxine Billings.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excercise your Faith to continue your personal growth, July 26, 2004

By 

S. Hudson "Avid Reader" (Tucker, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Measure Of Faith (Paperback)

A Measure of Faith is a novel to which many women can relate. It deals with the issues of raising teenage children, running a household, owning her own interior design business, experiencing women's health issues, seeking independence, nurturing a deeper bond with a husband, balancing friendship and finding self. All are addressed in 240 pages.

Lynnette Montgomery is the lady who has to exercise her faith against overwhelming odds to hold it all together. I found it refreshing. The situations and circumstances in the book could be issues we all face, and likely as genuine is the realization that Lynn has problems maintaining a healthy balance.

Lynn is plagued by nightmares involving the mother who abandoned her at four years of age. Meanwhile, her doctor breaks bad news to her that her fibroids require surgery and she is adamant about not losing those parts she feels makes her a woman. She longs to talk her situation over with her mother or some other older woman who can understand. Her supportive husband, Robert, feels left out of her life and isn't sure how to help her through such life-changing decisions. Lynn's faith waivers and she stops attending church and being attentive to her family. In her quest to find solace, Lynn turns to her childhood friend, who in her eagerness to assist causes a rift in Lynn and Robert's marriage. Lynn's client Rose, an older lady, becomes Lynn's refuge when she finds the pressure too much to bear. Lynn finds immeasurable knowledge and strength through her unexplainable strong bond with Rose.

A Measure of Faith is Maxine Billing's first novel. The comprehensive list of topics addressed in this book could have easily been expanded into an epic, but the writing style captured everything very succinctly and made reading enjoyable.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What faith are we measuring?, October 14, 2004

By 

Rebecca "rebecca546" (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Measure Of Faith (Paperback)

Unfortunately, I didn't find this book as inspiring as others here. In the first chapter, Lynn is informed by her doctor that she has fibroids. And understandbly her initial emotions are of fear, anxiety and worry . However, after the 3rd chapter I just couldn't take anymore of her whiney, self-centered attitude and her constant complaing. She continually takes her frustration out on her VERY supportive husband, Robert.

It's obvious that Lynn doesn't have faith, so I assume the "measure" the author here is referring to is NULL. I say that because she is so focused on the fibroids and the negative outcome of it and all the "what ifs??". I found myself arguing with Lynn at times saying "Didn't the doctor said that there MIGHT be a chance of this" or "There COULD be..." I wanted to just shake her and say "Girl! You're a child of God! You need to quit acting like this and focus on God and confess the word and stop letting Satan rob you of your healing!!"

I can say this because I had a fibroid tumor removed in April. And there were people who will actually talk fear into your life "Aren't you worried?" or "What if they remove your uterus?" or "If I were you ..." Instead of saying "You are more than a conqueror.." or "No weapon formed against you..." GIVE ME SOME FAITH TO HOLD ON TO PLEASE!!

In fairness, the author has wonderful writing skills! But this character (Lynn) portrayed such a negative attitude I just couldn't relate - the kind of person that makes you want to put your head in the sand and give up all hope.

There are other plots that develop throughout the story but I'll let you discover that on your own. Happy reading.