Rooms: A Novel (33 page)
Authors: James L. Rubart
Tags: #General, #Fiction, #American Mystery & Suspense Fiction, #Suspense fiction, #Faith, #Fiction - Religious, #Christian, #Soul, #Oregon, #Christian fiction, #Christian - General, #Spiritual life, #Religious
Dear Reader,
Toni Morrison says, “If there’s a book you really want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
That’s
Rooms.
I didn’t write it for readers as much I wrote it because I wanted to read Micah Taylor’s story. I
needed
to read his story. A story of freedom. A story of healing.
I long to step into the freedom that Micah discovers, to live more completely in the divine design and destiny God has created for me, to be victorious over the voices that hold me back from living the full life God intended me to live.
I loved writing
Rooms
because it’s my story. It’s your story. It’s the story of anyone who wants to step into greater freedom, step into the glory of how God uniquely made him or her, step into the destiny planned for them from before time began.
He is the Great Healer of wounds. He is the Great Restorer of freedom.
If you’d like to explore more ideas together on how to live with freedom, come visit my Web site and blog at www.jimrubart.com.
For freedom’s sake,
James L. Rubart
Discussion Questions
1. What would you describe as the theme of Rooms? Is there more than one?
2. Before coming to Cannon Beach, Micah seemed to have it all—fame, money, influence—but he was still searching because he’d buried his heart. Do you feel like your heart has been buried or lost (Galatians 6:9)? What things caused this? Are you trying to get it back (Luke 19:10)? If so, how?
3. Throughout the novel God takes Micah into specific rooms—to heal his wounds and to set him free (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18). If you could physically walk into the rooms in your own soul, which room do you think God would lead you into first? What other rooms would God take you through?
4. One of the pivotal scenes in
Rooms
is when Jesus enters the movie room within Micah’s dream and heals the deep wounds he received from his father (Jeremiah 30:17; Acts 28:27). What are the deep wounds that need healing inside you?
5. Were you surprised that Jesus ignored the movies (the symptoms) and went to the cause (Micah’s deep wounds as a kid) instead (Luke 15:11–24)? Why or why not?
6. For much of the book, Micah thinks the voice is himself. Can you relate? Can you look back on your life and think of times where the enemy of your heart has spoken to you through thoughts and impressions you thought were your own but now realize were not? How did he say it? How did it make you feel? What do you do when that voice is speaking to you?
7. The voice at one point convincingly tells Micah that following Jesus means following principles and rules. Eventually Micah discovers it’s not about those things but about a relationship with Jesus. He doesn’t follow Jesus out of obligation but love. What is the story of your spiritual journey? Have you followed more out of love or obligation or a combination of the two?
8. It’s not only the voice that speaks to Micah. God does as well through a distinct impression in his mind and/or heart. Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice” (John 10:16, 27). What does that mean to you? Do you hear God’s voice? If so, what are the ways He speaks to you?
9. One of the recurring themes in
Rooms
is freedom, a foundation of the Christian faith (John 8:2, 36; Galatians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 3:17) yet one that many followers of Jesus don’t experience. Are you free? If not, what is the thing you’d like to be free from most? What holds you back from more freedom?
10. In one of Archie’s letters, he quotes Saint Irenaeus saying, “The glory of God is man fully alive.” What makes you come alive? Are you doing it now? Why? Why not?
11. When Micah skydives, it is a huge risk, but it gives him the courage to risk taking a sabbatical from RimSoft, which ultimately sets him free. Is there anything you need to risk in order to follow God’s call on your life (Acts 15:26)?
12. We get hints of Micah’s artistic destiny early in
Rooms.
During Julie’s meeting, she says, “You’re always doodling” when he sketches the house, and early on we learn he painted in high school and college. Later he tells Julie he might paint at the beach. It’s always been there, but Micah didn’t see it. Whether it’s painting or writing or music or hiking or travel or counseling or a hundred other different passions, many people would say, “It’s always been inside me.” What passion has always been inside you? Are you pursuing it? What steps do you need to take to find it?
13. Micah’s choices send him down two very different paths. Are you facing any significant choices right now that could take you down a wonderful or destructive path? How do you know which is the right path to take? What specific steps are you taking down that path?
14. The day Micah got his scar shaped his life. Does one incident from your childhood control or affect your life in a way you wish it hadn’t? Explain.
15. Throughout the novel Micah desperately wants to enter the brilliant room. When he finally gets in, he’s stunned to discover it is his own heart, where the Holy Spirit lives. First Corinthians 3:16–17 says this is a holy place. If you’re a follower of Jesus, do you think of your heart as a holy place? Do you think of it as the place where God lives?
Cannon Beach, Oregon, is beautiful all year long. The following are a few of the many Web sites where you can find out more about the town and the surrounding area, as well as information on some of the places Micah goes in Rooms.
www. cannonbeach.org
www.cannon-beach.net
www.el.com/to/cannonbeach
Arcadia Beach State Park: www.oregonstateparks.org/park_187.php
Ecola State Park: www.oregonstateparks.org/park_188.php
Hug Point State Park: www.oregonstateparks.org/park_191.php.
Oswald West State Park: www.oregonstateparks.org/park_195.php.
Cape Lookout State Park: www.oregonstateparks.org/park_186.php.
www.morrisfireside.com
www.theoceanlodge.com
www.cannonbeachbooks.com
Acknowledgments
I thought writing a novel was primarily a solitary endeavor. Wrong answer. Try again. To describe a novel as a solo effort would be like saying the director is the only person involved in a feature-length film. Consequently, passionate thanks go out to:
Ruth, Jennifer, Tanya, and Jeff Scorziell for reading that
long
first draft of
Rooms
and giving great feedback and encouragement.
To Pat, Royce, Laura D., Scott, Kelli, Jill, Debbie A., Barb, and Helen for reading version two and pumping me full of hope. To Taylor, Jimmy Rub, Laura C., Bob C., Ronie, Leonard, Paul, Marcus, Mitch, Dave, Dan, Tina S., Ron, Tina D., Dineen, Robin, Jamie, Jeff, Debbie C., Glen, and my Good Buddy for reading version three and sending your excitement my way.
The greatest gift someone can give me is to read what I’ve written, so sincere thanks goes out to you, my reading friend, for investing your time in
Rooms.
To Jennifer Fry for pushing me to take action. To my Band of Brothers: Jeff Stucky, Eric, Mark, Bob L., Jim R., and Peter for prayer, belief, and your constant willingness to listen as I told—on and on and on—of my roller-coaster journey to publication. To the Winklings for encouragement, laughter, critique, and belief.
To Sharon Sabin for continually asking how
Rooms
was coming along and believing from the beginning.
To the Carters: Rick, Evelyn, Todd, and Lindsay for reading Rooms, being such incredible encouragers, and for having almost as much passion for the book as I do.
To David Webb for being my champion, Susan May Warren for your outstanding teaching and friendship, and Sharon Hinck for friendship, belief, and that stellar conversation at Mount Hermon.
To Randy Ingermanson for that first huge boost and for being a great friend. To Tim Riter, Bryan Davis, and Jeff Gerke for their early friendship, wisdom, and encouragement. To Mary Beth Chappell, Beth Jusino, Janet Kobobel Grant, and Steve Laube for your excellent counsel and encouragement. To Tricia for wisdom, belief, and dropping everything to help someone you barely knew! To Elaine for early, early belief and intense education.
To Carla, you are my prayer warrior! To Robert Boyd Munger
(My Heart—Christ’s Home)
for writing such a powerful piece. To Roy Williams for telling me the truth and helping me believe.
To Bob Lord for dazzling brainstorming as the story formed, challenging critiques as you read, and for continually reminding me, “It’s all in the execution!”
To John Eldredge for widening my own path to freedom.
To Diana Lawrence, art director at B&H, for designing a stunning cover.
To my B&H fiction marketing manager, Julie Gwinn. You’re incredible!
To Karen Ball, my executive editor, not only a wonderful editor but my dear friend.
To editor Julee Schwarzburg, who took
Rooms
far beyond what I could have made it on my own. Are all editors as brilliant as you?
To Chip MacGregor, who is not only my agent but my friend as well.
To Cec Murphy, mentor, friend, and teacher.
To my critique partner and lifelong friend, Royce Cameron, for dedication to the craft and to me. I hope to be as good a writer as you someday.
To Jim Vaux who spoke it out during that dinner in Woodinville ages ago and wars for me in prayer like no other.
To Mick Silva for brotherhood, supernatural counsel, rabid belief in me, and never letting me forsake my heart and the reason for it all.
To Mom for loving me, believing in me, praying for me, for seeing my destiny, and never, ever, doubting it.
To Dad for giving me the gift of writing and showing me what joy unleashed looks like.
To Taylor and Micah for believing in me and being better sons than I could ever have imagined.
To Jesus for life, freedom, and making my dream come true. It all begins and ends in You.
Finally, to the toughest person to thank, since words are far too frail to convey my overwhelming gratitude—but I must try—my wife, Darci. Without your tireless love, unwavering faith, laser-focused edits, vision for the future, and deep counsel about the things in this life that really matter, this book would not have happened. You are far beyond what I ever dreamed a wife and best friend could be. In you I found my Sarah. In you I am truly blessed.
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