The Turning
THE TURNING
“
The Turning
is the most refreshing and inspired page turner in recent years. It captures your heart, mind, and spirit with a real connection to His Grace.
The Turning
is highly commended. Davis Bunn has scaled new heights and brought us with him.”
—Ted Baehr, president of
Movieguide
“
The Turning
is a triumph. This novel contains a remarkable mix of high drama, great characters, and a truly inspired examination of what it means to discern the voice of God. This above all else makes the book stand out. Readers will be captivated by Bunn’s story, and challenged by this invitation to seek a deeper walk with our Lord.
The Turning
invites us to heed God’s call, not with an absence of fear, but rather the mastery of it.”
—Roy Crowne, director emeritus, Youth for Christ, and CEO, The Hope Project
“Does God still speak to his followers today? That’s the question and the power of this high-stakes prophetic novel ripped straight from tomorrow’s headlines.
The Turning
is a mesmerizing look at people who believe they heard the voice of God. The unforgettable cast of characters and the conflicting themes of divine hope against man’s darker motives made for one amazing read.”
—Allen Arnold, director of content, Ransom Heart Ministries
© 2014 by
DAVIS BUNN
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Edited by Carol Johnson
Interior and cover design: Erik M. Peterson
Cover photo of street scene copyright © 2012 by Macie J. Noskowski / iStock. All rights reserved.
Author photo: Angel Gray Photography
Page composition: Design Corps
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bunn, T. Davis
The turning / Davis Bunn.
pages cm
Summary: “The message was unexpected but instantly recognizable. A voice resonated from a distance and somehow from within. Against all earthly logic, it carried a divine command. And five very different people knew they were summoned to obey. Their actions were demanding, but not particularly grand. Only later would they see a pattern emerge—one that links their tasks together and comes to challenge the cultural direction of the nation. They realize that one small personal response unveiled a new realm of moral responsibility. And this affirmation of everyday hope captures the attention of millions. But power and money are at stake. Malicious elements soon align themselves to counter the trend. To succeed they must also undermine its source. Can we really believe that God speaks to people today? Surely this must be dismissed as superstition or delusion. These well-intentioned but misguided individuals should not be allowed to cast our society back into the Dark Ages. The public debate and media frenzy place an unprecedented spotlight on knowing and doing God’s will. The five encounter threats, but try to remain steadfast in their faith. Had God indeed imparted wisdom on selected individuals? Is this sweep of events part of his divine purpose? The movement may herald a profound renewal—one that some are calling The Turning.”—Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-0-8024-1168-6 (pbk.)
I. Title.
PS3552.U4718T87 2014
813’.54—dc23
2013045562
We hope you enjoy this book from River North Fiction by Moody Publishers. Our goal is to provide high-quality, thought provoking books and products that connect truth to your real needs and challenges. For more information on other books and products written and produced from a biblical perspective, go to
www.moodypublishers.com
or write to:
River North Fiction
Imprint of Moody Publishers
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Chicago, IL 60610
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Printed in the United States of America
This book is dedicated to Roy and Florence Crowne who have made the gift of hope their life’s work
Excerpt from
The Turning Devotional
Friend,
Thank you for choosing to read this Moody Publishers title. It is our hope and prayer that this book will help you to know Jesus Christ more personally and love Him more deeply.
The proceeds from your purchase help pay the tuition of students attending Moody Bible Institute. These students come from around the globe and graduate better equipped to impact our world for Christ.
Other Moody Ministries that may be of interest to you include Moody Radio and Moody Distance Learning. To learn more visit
http://www.moodyradio.org/
and
http://www.moody.edu/distancelearning/
To enhance your reading experience we’ve made it easy to share inspiring passages and thought-provoking quotes with your friends via Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and other book-sharing sites. To do so, simply highlight and forward. And don’t forget to put this book on your Reading Shelf on your book community site.
Thanks again, and may God bless you.
The Moody Publishers Team
To view trailer for
The Turning
, go
HERE
.
“Who will go for us …?”
NEW YORK CITY
T
rent Cooper watched the empty Sunday streets unfold beyond his window. He had never been in the backseat of a limo before. Twice he had ridden up front, playing aide to his boss, Darren, whom he loathed along with everyone else forced to work for the man. Today, however, was different. Today Darren was the one forced to play ride-along. Trent had often studied passing limos, hungering to be one of those people with the power and the expense accounts. The feeling of having arrived, even for a moment, was so exquisite not even Darren’s fury could touch him.
His boss must have noticed Trent’s satisfied smirk, for he was seething as he said, “Enjoy it while you can, worm. Ninety minutes from now, you’ll be just another greasy stain on the sidewalks of Times Square.”
“Whatever you say, boss.” Trent was usually the guy who just went along. It was protective coloring he had picked up as a kid. Vanish in plain sight, and escape multiple poundings from guys who were bigger and stronger and fascinated by the sight of other people’s blood.
“You mocking me? Really?” Darren obviously wanted to pace, which of course was impossible, even in a stretch limo. So he fidgeted. His well-padded frame highlighted every squirm. “You think I’m playing games here, Cooper?”
“No, sir. I know you aren’t.” Trent glanced over. The guy was a toad in a suit.
“Your future is in my hands. You better be thinking of how you’re going to write a resume when your previous employer is just
waiting
to call you a class-A clown.”
Trent turned back to the window. There really wasn’t anything on that side to hold his attention. To tell the truth, he was a little disappointed in the ride. The stretch Cadillac bounced hard over the smallest dips. The ceiling was low and dark, the rear seat slightly concave. An acre of dark carpet separated them from the backward-facing seats. The divider was in place, making the rear compartment feel like a coffin for two.
“This is your last chance,” Darren said. “I want to know what you sent to headquarters. And I want to know now.”
The scene beyond the limo’s side window was much more interesting. Back home when he was a kid, church would have just been getting out. Trent had always skipped out of those tall doors like he was being released from a weekly prison. People smiled down at him, the poor kid whose family hadn’t been able to afford the operations he needed, so the church had taken up collections. They talked in loud voices, like having a cleft palate turned him deaf. His mother kept a vise grip on his hand, smiled back to them and talked with this brittle happiness like they didn’t have a care in the world, what with the church family taking such good care of them. Trent had hated them all.
“I’ve had it with your insubordination, Cooper,” his boss said. “I’ve asked you a question and I
demand
an
answer.
”
Trent forced his mind back to the present. He rarely indulged in memory games. As far as he was concerned, the best thing about his past was how it fueled his drive and determination, and granted him the fury required to make it. Even here. In Manhattan. The Capital City of Broken Dreams.
The sunlit streets were just coming alive. Elegant alcoves held sidewalk cafés where laughing people burned through money. Couples dressed in clothes that cost more than his car walked arm in arm toward their next good time. Trent traced a line around the sunlight on his window and mouthed a silent word.
Soon
.
The limo pulled around the corner and parked before the headquarters’ side entrance. The door had no sign. Anyone who needed to ask what lay beyond the brass portal did not belong.
Darren leaned over so far his belly flattened against his thighs. “That’s it, Cooper. As of this minute, you are
fired
.”
Trent did not wait for the driver to make it around to his side. He opened his door and stepped into the sunlight. Instantly the uniformed guard opened the brass door and wished him a good morning. Trent stepped back and let his boss storm past. He gave himself a moment to breathe in the fresh air, the light, the thrill of finally having won a chance. He whispered to the amazing day ahead, “Showtime.”