More than a story; may you be encouraged and convicted if need be concerning your walk with Christ.
Plot
Note: This book is a novelization of the Sherwood Pictures movie of the same name.
Jay Austin is a used-car salesman, a husband, and a father to a growing family. Such are his excuses for bending the rules and stretching the truth concerning money. But when God nabs his attention, there's no going back.
Morality
At first, Jay is a dishonest man, a frustrating husband, and a lousy father. He's selfish. He teaches his salesmen to manipulate customers. When that changes, he becomes a man of integrity, a loving husband, and a father wanting to get back in touch with his son.
Spiritual Content
The Austins attend church, pray, and read their Bibles. When Jay's life turns around, his life reflects his "new man". He has influence from one of his employees as well. At first, Jay's relationship with God is extremely rusty and a bit distorted. God is set as the center of life around Whom everything revolves.
Violence
We are told that one of Jay's employees once served in the army and later on (in an unrelated event) was shot in the stomach. A golf cart tips and falls on a man. He is uninjured. Two men get into a brief fight in the pool hall (one man fought back only to defend himself and another's honor).
Drug and Alcohol Content
A pool hall - complete with a bar (which none of the characters visits), smoking, and gambling - is entered by a couple characters.
In his former life, one of Jay's employees was once a heavy smoker and drinker, as well as a heroin-addict.
Sexual Content
While not sexual, a church woman asks Jay's wife if she's going to breastfeed. When Judy feels contractions, we are told the moment her water breaks. Problems between Jay and Judy are referred to as a metaphorical "mistress".
Crude or Profane Language or Content
The worst would be "heck".
Conclusion
If you've seen the movie, you'll notice that this book is like watching it slowly. Only now, you get more insight about different characters and read their thoughts when words are not spoken. As a bonus, the deleted scenes are included as are others that help embellish the tale.
The flywheel is the most important part of a car: if you don't have it, you're not going anywhere. How much more important is the Flywheel for everyone's lives? Your life may have all the flash and glitter of a Triumph TR3, but it's useless unless the Lord is at work. This is a great story and also a convicting one that's changed the lives and hearts of many.
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