The Impressionist

“
The Impressionist
engages our hearts with two stories about two very different men: Adam is angry, lost, confused; Jim Ed is at peace, with healing in his words. Their conversation in the park is anything but small talk. As Jim Ed shares glimpses of his troubled youth and the life-changing nature of love, Adam—and we—must face the truth about ourselves and our desperate need for a Savior.”

—L
IZ
C
URTIS
H
IGGS
,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Mine Is the Night

“
The Impressionist
will take you by surprise. This is more than compelling story, it’s an invitation to become real and experience more freedom and joy than you ever have before. Transformation is waiting to be unlocked in these pages!”

—M
ARGARET
F
EINBERG
, author of
Wonderstruck

“
The Impressionist
is one of those rare books that tugs on your heartstrings, unveiling things deep within your soul, things you didn’t even know were there. Anticipate it and savor it!”

—L
ARRY
J. K
OENIG
, P
H
.D., Author of
Smart Discipline
and
Mental Toughness: the Path to Extraordinary Success in Life

“This is an authentic story of the challenge that most men face in life—to be a victim or a gladiator. It is so compelling that I skipped an NFL playoff game because I could not stop reading. This story will instruct and inspire.”

—D
R
. M
ICHAEL
L
YLES
, Christian psychiatrist, author and speaker

“Oh man! Instant movement and immediate ‘boy can’t we all relate to this!’ What a gut check! Powerful, powerful book!”

—G
ARY
L. S
TEWART
, author of
The Most Dangerous Animal of All

“What a story!
The Impressionist
is packed with biblical wisdom and endearing characters. Dr. Clinton’s novella will encourage, inspire and challenge you to greatness.”

—Pat Williams, Orlando Magic senior vice president, Author of
Coach Wooden’s Greatest Secret

“Combine the insights of Tim Clinton and the storytelling of Max Davis, and what you get is a wonderfully entertaining glimpse into the very soul of human existence. Adam is an unforgettable character and a great reminder to for each of us to consider what really matters in our own lives.”

—M
ARK
G
ILROY
, bestselling author
Cuts Like a Knife
and
Every Breath You Take

“Tim Clinton is as rare as they come. After decades of leading, equipping and encouraging countless thousands of Christian counselors, men, women, couples and teens, he has pulled yet another rabbit out of the hat with this story. I am amazed by Tim’s creative ability to use fiction to demonstrate the real life internal battles that so many face on their way to becoming the masterpiece God intends them to be. This is a must read for anyone in search of healing and hope!”

—J
OE
W
HITE
, bestselling author, speaker and president of Kanakuk Kamps

“Dr. Tim Clinton’s riveting story captures your senses, renders you breathless and renews your commitment to reach your potential in Christ. A master storyteller, Clinton is supremely qualified to mine insightful nuggets from the hearts of struggling believers who re-evaluate human frailties in light of Divine Truth. This book is more valuable than gold for those who hear and believe the lies of the enemy. Simply and unwittingly, Dr. Clinton reminds the reader of a life-altering choice—believe the lies, or embrace the truth and become the masterpiece you are created to be!”

—R
ICK
R
IGSBY
, P
H
. D., Ordained Minister, Motivational Speaker, Author of
Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout

© Copyright 2014–Dr. Tim Clinton

All rights reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations or occasional page copying for personal or group study is permitted and encouraged. Permission will be granted upon request. Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All emphasis within Scripture quotations is the author’s own. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

DESTINY IMAGE® PUBLISHERS, INC.
P.O. Box 310, Shippensburg, PA 17257-0310
“Promoting Inspired Lives.”

This book and all other Destiny Image, Revival Press, MercyPlace, Fresh Bread, Destiny Image Fiction, and Treasure House books are available at Christian bookstores and distributors worldwide.

For a U.S. bookstore nearest you, call 1-800-722-6774.
For more information on foreign distributors, call 717-532-3040.
Reach us on the Internet:
www.destinyimage.com
.

ISBN 13 TP: 978-0-7684-0491-3

ISBN 13 Ebook: 978-0-7684-0492-0

For Worldwide Distribution, Printed in the U.S.A.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 / 18 17 16 15 14

By Karen Kingsbury

I was at the front of a line of reader friends after speaking in Roanoke, VA, at an Extraordinary Women event when a woman stepped up and started crying. “How is Ashley?” she searched my face, completely sincere.

“Ashley?” I blinked. Did I know the woman? Had we met before?

“Yes!” The woman seemed almost frantic. “Ashley Baxter.”

I smiled. Ashley Baxter is a character from my Baxter Series. “Well…the stories are fiction. You know that, right?”

The woman hesitated. Her eyes drifted to a spot near the back of the room. “Well,” she looked at me again. “I guess I do know that deep inside. I mean, I took her name off the prayer list at church. But still …” her eyes lit up again. “I was hoping for an update.”

This is the power of story.

As a novelist I’ve seen that sort of thing over and over and over again. God puts a story on my heart and He uses it to touch the hearts of other people. Through story we are teachable. We allow truths to enter through the back door of our hearts. Every now and then the message in a story is so unforgettable it almost becomes real.

Like Ashley Baxter.

Tim Clinton is that sort of storyteller. He has a lifetime of truth about faith and relationships and how God wants us to live. His ministry changes lives for the Lord daily. God is using Tim Clinton to change this culture for Christ on a number of fronts.

But in this—his first novel—he tells you a story.

I’m honored to introduce to you the latest way you can learn from Tim Clinton. Settle in to
The Impressionist
and its beautifully written lessons. Let God speak to you between the lines.

Who knows?

You just might remember the journey forever.

#1
New York Times
Bestselling novelist Karen Kingsbury is America’s Favorite Storyteller. She has nearly 25 million books in print and her last dozen titles have all topped bestseller charts. Karen is also a speaker at Extraordinary Women events around the country. She is a fan of Tim and Julie Clinton and everything they stand for. Karen lives in Nashville, TN., with her husband Don and their five sons, and nearby their daughter, Kelsey, who is married to Christian Recording Artist Kyle Kupecky. You can learn more about Karen Kingsbury at
www.KarenKingsbury.com
.

Dedicated to James Edward Clinton, who first taught me about the love of God and the truth that is in Christ. A faithful father, husband and pastor extraordinaire, he brought healing to all he encountered, teaching others to become the masterpiece God created us to be.

“Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”
—Nehemiah 4:14

“So what are you trying to say Paige?” My voice began to elevate. “Go ahead. Spit it out! What cha got? I can take it!”

She snapped her head toward me, eyes piercing. “Just forget it Adam, all right. I don’t want to fight.”

“You don’t want to fight?” I laughed. “You started this for crying out loud!” Frustrated, I jerked opened the refrigerator and stared inside while drumming my fingers on the door.

“I hate it when you do that.”

“Do what?”

“Stand there with the refrigerator door open. You’re letting all the cold air out. Make a decision or close the door.”

“You want it shut? Well fine!” I slammed the refrigerator door so hard bottles knocked over inside and several family pictures jarred loose from their magnets and fluttered to the floor. Paige flinched backward, stunned by my outburst.

“That wasn’t very smart,” she said.

“There you go again!” I shouted. “Criticizing! That’s all you do anymore!”

“I wasn’t criticizing, just stating a fact. The last thing we need right now is to buy a new refrigerator.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? You know how hard I work!”

“You?” she said. “I work hard too.” Then Paige did what she usually does when she’s upset. She started cleaning. I hate it when she does that. She turned on the faucet and began washing our breakfast dishes while staring off into space. I hate that too—when she checks out on me like she wishes she were somewhere else. But don’t be fooled, Paige knows exactly what she’s doing. She’s pushing my buttons. It gives her a sense of power. I moved to her side, looking down on her, violating her personal space, pushing
her
buttons.

“We have a dishwasher you know,” I said.

Paige didn’t respond, just kept washing.

“Oh, now you’re silent?” I barked, pressing. “You know it drives me crazy when you clam up like that—get me all worked up and then shut me out! It’s a game to you isn’t it?” Giving in to rage, my mouth couldn’t stop. I was on a roll, a runaway train out of control. “You’re sorry you married me, aren’t you? Just admit it! It’s true! I know that’s what you’re thinking—how disappointed you are in me.”

“I never said that.”

“You don’t have to, Paige. It’s written all over your face!”

Paige slammed down a plate into the sink shattering it. “Fine,” she cried out, “I’m sorry I married you! There, I said it! Happy now?” She turned away from me to gaze out the kitchen window. Wetness formed in the corner of her eyes and her bottom lip began to quiver. “It wasn’t supposed to be like—” She cut herself off before finishing the sentence and began carefully picking up the broken pieces of plate and placing them in the trash canister under the sink.

Clutching her shoulder, I spun her around to face me. “What Paige?” I demanded. “It wasn’t supposed to be like what?”

She pushed herself away from me, stronger, forcefully. “
This
okay! It wasn’t supposed to be like
this!
I can’t take
this
anymore! Something’s got to change Adam.”