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A Million Blessings

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"A Million Blessings" - Angela Benson, Marilynn Griffith & Tia McCollors

APOOO rating: 4

We've all dreamed of what we would do if we won the lottery. In the short story anthology, "A Million Blessings," Christian fiction authors, Angela Benson, Marilynn Griffith and Tia McCollors, address such a scenario with very different results.

The first story, "Showers of Blessings" (Benson), focuses on Rev. Andrew Gooden, an associate minister with a gambling addiction. He's about to lose everything - including his wife, Sandra, and their two children - when he bets his last two dollars on a lottery ticket and prays for a miracle. When Andrew wins $20 million dollars, he convinces Sandra that they should start their own ministry, but bases it on a lie, telling everyone they inherited the money. Meanwhile, Sandra is basking in her new wealth and her status as First Lady of Showers of Blessings church. When questioned about their sudden wealth and move to start the church, Sandra believes others are jealous. Only later does she realize that her world is about to come crumbling down around her, when she learns that Andrew has never stopped gambling, and his addiction has led to blackmail, theft and deception. The only way to save their marriage and ministry is for Sandra to lead an intervention with Andrew, praying that it is not too late.

The second story, "Second Chance" (Griffith), centers on injured ex-football player and soon-to-be divorced Craig Richards. His ex-wife, Brianna, is determined to take everything he has. Defeated, Craig returns to his hometown and his Aunt Theresa, the woman who raised him. Unbeknownst to Craig, Aunt Theresa took all the money he sent her over the years and created the Craig Richards Foundation, using the money to help meet the needs of the people in the community. Touched, Craig recommits his life to Christ and discovers new opportunities in public speaking and coaching the local high school football team. He still longs to reconcile with Brianna. In the meantime, Brianna realizes she has made a mistake in leaving Craig. Before she can face Craig again, she must come to terms with her relationship with God and settle some painful issues from her and Craig's past.

The third story, "Knight in Pink Armor" (McCollors), follows personal assistant Dara Knight, a rebel with a cause. Dara chafes under her more conservative parents' Christian upbringing. Instead, Dara chooses to ride a pink motorcycle with her church's motorcycle ministry, The Kingdom Knights, which ministers to a gang-infested neighborhood. On a road trip, Dara's cousin, India, impulsively buys Dara a lottery ticket. When it is a winner, Dara splits the nine million dollars with India, and decides to anonymously build new housing and provide charitable contributions through the Knights. But Dara's efforts are thwarted by gang members who rule the community through intimidation and fear.

I enjoyed reading all three stories. Benson's story struck a chord because of the many scandals that have plagued the Christian church where ministers and leaders got caught up in the misuse of funds meant for the work of the church. The themes of repentance and redemption are also brought up in a thoughtful manner.

I identified most with McCollors' story. I understood Dara's desire to use her lottery winnings to advance the work of God's kingdom. Dara Knight was a refreshing and interesting character. I believe McCollors should turn this story into a full-fledged novel.

I was less impressed with Griffith's story. The strongest aspect was the expression of God's redemption and saving power and how it can change your life. The theme of the impact of a lottery win was an afterthought and irrelevant to the story. I also thought the pacing of the story was off. There were also some minor editorial issues that needed to be addressed.

Overall, this was a fun read. Fans of Angela Benson, Marilynn Griffith and Tia McCollors will not be disappointed. Readers of Christian fiction not acquainted with these authors will find this a terrific introduction to their work.

Donna Deloney
Author, "Journey to Jordan"
Journey To Jordan
APOOO BookClub

Though I didnt fall in love with the book, I liked the effort by the authors. The 2nd story was the best for me. The other 2 were kind of missing something for me. But it is always good to read about the goodness of God.

How many times have you asked God for an overflow of blessings? Well, if you are like me, your current tally is too large to count even when using all your fingers and toes. But what if your plea was answered in the form of a financial windfall from a questionable source? Would you hold fast to your faith and conclude that since God allowed this to happen then it must be part of his predestined plan or would you simple walk away and forget the whole thing ever happened. The authors of A Million Blessings tackle these questions and many more as each one takes you on a journey involving a winning lottery ticket.


In Angela Benson's Showers of Blessings, Assistant Pastor Andrew Gooden and his devoted wife Sandra are on the brink of financial and personal ruin as they struggle to overcome the aftermath of his gambling addiction. Feeling that he has no where to turn Andrew places all his faith on a divine intervention that can only be achieved by risking it all on a lottery drawing. Once his prayer appears to have been answered Andrew soon discovers that winning the lottery only intensifies his trials as he attempts to come to terms with his new found blessing and the teachings of Praise City Ministry. Pastor Gooden and his wife soon learn that money does not solve all problems that in order for a wound to heal it must first be exposed and diagnosed to ensure the proper treatment.

Second Chance Blessings by Marilynn Griffith finds Craig Richards and his wife Briana dealing with the loss of everything they hold dear when a career ending injury forces him to leave the world of professional football. After years of neglect and mistreatment Briana decides that enough is enough and leaves him to deal with the aftermath of their lavish lifestyles. Broken emotionally, financially, and professionally Craig decides to return home to the comfort of family. As Craig attempts to reconnect with the life he left behind to pursue his dreams, he realizes that even when he turned away from God that others were interceding on his behalf and that God heard and answered their petitions. Now he will decide to walk in what he now knows is the only way.... God's way or will the trappings of wealth once again destroy his journey as a chance lottery purchase yields and possible professional contract offer him a second chance at financial success.

Dara Knight is a PK (Preacher's Kid) who is living her life to the fullest as the owner of On Point Concierge until a lottery windfall sets Dara's life in a new direction in A Pink Knight by Tia McCollors. After going on a much needed girls get-away with her cousin Dara finds herself in a moral tug a war as a whim lottery purchase lands her in the millionaire's club. Having been told her entire life that no good can come from such things, Dara Knight decides to "cleanse" her earnings by helping out the overlooked and often neglected community she does outreach ministry in with her church. As she takes on the difficult but rewarding task of helping the underserved will the evil forces that have often terrorized the community once again prevail over the Pink Knight?

Showers of Blessings by Angela Benson:

Assistant Pastor Andrew Gooden has a gambling problem and his wife, Sandra is so tired of dealing with it. They have creditors calling, the house is about to go into foreclosure, bank accounts are overdrawn... they are about to lose everything. Pastor Gooden is in denial about his lust for gambling and he and his wife have been keeping it a secret. Then they win the lottery and start their own church, Showers of Blessings, and things get better for a while but when trouble comes again, Sandra no longer believes the words her husband has spoken so many times before, "I can fix this." What is it going to take for Pastor Gooden to stop making excuses and deal with the addiction that could cause him to lose everything, including his wife and children?

I kind of felt for Pastor Gooden but I really felt for his wife, who knew deep in her heart he needed help in order to change but accepted his excuses anyway. Pastor Gooden didn't know any of his blood relatives; he was brought up in foster care. I'm thinking that must have left a huge empty space in his life and maybe he was trying to fill that void with money and possessions and to have a prominent position in the church must have been something he also needed to feel like he mattered.

Doing God's will and caring more about helping others means more than having material things is a lesson this story teaches. It was a thought-provoking read.

Second Chance Blessings by Marilynn Griffith:

Craig Richards was a pro football player who had everything; a beautiful wife, a mansion and a career on the rise. After a knee injury he was cut from the team and his marriage ended in divorce. With little money, he left Atlanta to return to Tampa, Florida where he reconnected with family and old friends. He surrendered his life to Jesus and then became a public speaker to share his testimony. Would he continue to grow in Christ and live for Him or would he return to football, seeking fame and fortune once again?

This was a good story. Craig realized that people who really mattered wanted him around because they genuinely cared about `him', not because of what he could give them. And Craig's ex-wife Brianna learns a few lessons herself. Her transformation was nice to read about. And I liked TreShard, a sharp-minded teen who wasn't afraid to voice his opinions. He could have been a little more respectful when he was talking to Craig, though. I was glad when this young man's actions reminded Craig of what really mattered.

A Knight in Pink Armor by Tia McCollors:

Dara is the daughter of a preacher. She likes to start her mornings spending time with God and she also has a heart for people. She takes part in street evangelism ministering to the spiritually dead while her parents, Hunter and Thelma Knight, tend to the physically dead. They want her to take over the mortuary business one day, but Dara has her own dreams; with a heart to serve others she earned a degree in Restaurant, Hotel and Institution Management. Dara wins the lottery and this young woman with a giving heart is able to reach out in a much bigger way. But when trouble comes, will she give up on caring about the needs of others?

The gang situation in this story wasn't as violent as something I'd see on television or what is really going on in some people's neighborhoods, but it was disheartening. It's a sad thing when people are stuck someplace they don't want to be because they can't afford to move. And it's even sadder when someone comes along to destroy the good someone else is trying to do.

After I read these stories I wondered why someone wanted to publish a book with novellas about Christians winning the lottery. Question: "Does God say gambling is a sin?"

In the fictional world: The first and last stories have Pastors who believe it is a sin to play the lottery and it doesn't make it any less of a sin if the winner uses the money in good ways (The end does not justify the means). These stories also have the lottery winners keeping the money they won a secret because they were afraid of what others would think (Sounds like these Christians were being convicted by the Holy Spirit). In the second story I don't remember Craig keeping his winnings a secret and it didn't bother Pastor Green one bit to accept lottery winnings. He just `cleaned that money right on up' and used it to help his church.

Biblically speaking: I'm not clear if the word `gambling' is anywhere in the Bible but... A greedy person tries to `get rich quick', but it only leads to poverty (Proverbs 28:22, New Living Translation) I take this verse to mean God doesn't want His own (Christians) to take part in any `get rich quick' schemes. What are people doing when they play the lottery? Trying to `get rich quick'.

Back to A Million Blessings: Showers of Blessings and Second Chance Blessings made me smile here and there. A Knight in Pink Armor made me laugh (I loved the relationship Dara had with her cousin and best friend India). I recommend this book to anyone who's looking for entertaining stories, no matter what your beliefs are about playing the lottery.

I must say The ways in which Dara (and her cousin) carries out her dreams are in the end, an example of just one of the ways God can bless you and make you a blessing to many others.I would have loved to see what happened in ther personal love lives.What happened to Ms.Bettye?? This story was so Heartwarming.Tia continues to stretch the boundaries in relation to how strong,self assured female caharacters can live positive lives,mentor others,establish stable careers,mentor,live and laugh enjoy life,ride Harleys, ...lol...The Knight in Pink Armor....I Loved it.

I was introduced to Ms.Griffith for the first time and found her writing style both uplifting,well weaved together and enjoyable.I will be looking for further work from this talented writer.I wanted to see more of the young couple who had just come into the fullness of God's revelation and purpose for them both.After putting the pro baller life aside, and getting their marriage together they proved to be a blessing to those around them. Continuing mentoring the youth in that community would have been great reading.

Angela Benson's story was a powerful testimony to what the love of money can do to people if they aren't careful.Addictions are serious business. This family had to lose it all to realize that lesson.Riches don't always bring a family close together.But, instead, can tear them apart.Always, the richness of God and love in your family is the true basis upon which he CAN BUILD RESTORE,and can bless you beyond your wildest dreams.He can do it in any and many capacities.

I would have loved to see these 3 stories developed into full novels.
I recommend this collection of fast paced page turners.
Memorable characters to warm the heart and make you laugh out loud,cry and get angry. Yet, in the end they have you saying; Amen!!
A top notch collection of short stories that will indeed bless you!
Beautiful cover ladies.

Vicki Austin'
SWIFT Book Club
Texas

Have you ever allowed yourself to ask, "What if?" I know I have and my wildest dreams are tame compared to the stories told in "A Million Blessings."

My favorite novella was Tia McCollors "Knight in Pink Armor". I love her writing style and the plot and premise were so original.

After reading this book, I was left with an overwhelming feeling of content and joy with the blessings God has already given me.

Keleigh Crigler Hadley author of Christian fiction series -[...]